Welcome To Dipo Liadi's blog: 2014

31 December 2014

Nine Reasons Why Chelsea Can Win The Quadruple This Season

As we head into 2015 its time to start thinking about trophies at the denouncement of 2014/2015.
The best placed side in England to bring in the silverware appears to be Chelsea, who have looked like the best team in the Premier League since the season kicked off.

Jose Mourinho sides almost always peak in his second season at the club and it looks like it could be a trophy-laden campaign in 2014/2015 for The Special One. Having lost one game in all competitions, can Chelsea win the quadruple.Below are some reasons why you may want to stick a cheeky pound or two on Chelsea doing the quadruple!

Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has rubbished a report that he is considering joining Roma. Swedish journalist Jennifer Wegerup claimed that the former Juventus, Inter and AC Milan forward was keen on a return to Serie A and was weighing up a move to the Stadio Olimpico.

However, Ibrahimovic has unequivocally denied that he has any intention of leaving the Parc des Princes, or linking up with the Giallorossi.

Nigeria, the defending champions, failed to qualify for the 2015 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, sending many into a state of shock and shattering millions of hearts. The first sign of the looming disaster was an unexpected 3-2 loss in Calabar to the determined Republic of Congo led by French tactician Claude le Roy, followed by a lacklustre 0-0 draw with South Africa, which many expected them to win.

However, the Eagles rallied to get their Afcon campaign back on track and did just that with a crucial 2-0 away win Pointe Noire to get their destiny in back into their own hands.

SOUTHAMPTON 1 CHELSEA 1: Watch The Goals & Highlights

Brendan Rodgers One Of The Best Coaches In The World - Jordan Henderson

Jordan Henderson says Brendan Rodgers remains one of the world's best managers despite Liverpool's disappointing season so far. Inspired by Luis Suarez, the Merseyside giants came within two points of a first Premier League title since 1990 last season, with Rodgers rewarded with the League Managers' Association Manager of the Year award.

The Reds boss has struggled to re-model his team's attack this term in the wake of Suarez's summer move to Barcelona and Daniel Sturridge's persistent injury problems, leaving Liverpool in eighth place after 19 matches.

The Women's Tennis Association has signed a new record media rights contract that it says will be worth more than £335m ($525m) over 10 years. The deal with Perform runs from 2017 to 2026 with plans to produce every singles match, which is around 2,000 fixtures, for the first time.

Under the existing contract with Perform, only around a third of singles matches are broadcast.
WTA chairwoman Stacey Allastar called the new deal "a game-changer".

Bursaspor defender Taye Taiwo has said that he would be glad to get a recall to play for the Super Eagles. The 29-year-old has 53 caps for the country but has been shut out of the national team since coach Stephen Keshi took over as coach.

Since then, Elderson Echiejile and recently Juwon Oshaniwa have held sway in the left back position of the national team. Taiwo who has never hidden his passion to play for the Eagles feels his playing regularly in the Turkish top flight is a testimony that he is still active and won’t mind getting an invite to represent Nigeria.

Ivan Rakitic feels that while Cristiano Ronaldo is "a great", Lionel Messi is a truly "unique" talent who stands head and shoulders above every other player on the planet. Ronaldo and Messi have been shortlisted for this year's Ballon d'Or along with Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

Ronaldo has broken a succession of goalscoring records in helping Real Madrid win the Champions League, the Club World Cup and the Copa del Rey over the past 12 months, while Neuer won the double with Bayern Munich before playing a key role in his country's triumph at Brazil 2014.

Nigeria legend Nwankwo Kanu has scored the country’s football low in the outgoing year following the senior men’s team’s failure to qualify for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations. The former Super Eagles captain said that there is much work to be done in 2015 to bring back the faded glory of the three-time African champions.

After winning their third title in South Africa in 2013, Nigeria reached the second round at the World Cup in Brazil but failed to qualify to defend their African crown in Equatorial Guinea.

Sky Sports News held an open poll this yesterday evening, inviting viewers to vote for their player of the Premier League season so far.

There are many candidates: Cesc Fabregas, David De Gea, Sergio Aguero, and Mario Balotelli to name a few….ok, forget the last one.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti reflected on his side's "fantastic" 2014 after a 4-2 friendly defeat to Milan in Dubai on Tuesday. Ancelotti led Real to UEFA Champions League and Club World Cup glory this year, with victory in the final of the latter competition extending the club's winning streak to a remarkable 22 matches.

Although Real were unable to record yet another victory in their mid-season friendly with Milan, Ancelotti was unconcerned by the loss to one of his former clubs.

Peter Odemwingie has been assured of a new deal with Stoke City even if he doesn’t play the ball before his current contract expires. There is no certainty that the striker will be fit to feature for the Porters before the running out of contract at the end of the season since his crucial knee ligament injury since August 30.

"There's something in place, I think, so we will have discussions nearer the time,” Stoke City’s manager Mark Hughes told Stokes entinel.

VIDEO: Louis Van Gaal Says Man United Can Still Win The Premier League

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal still has hope that the Red Devils can win the title this year. Through 19 fixtures, Manchester United are 10 points away from 1st place Chelsea and 7 points away from 2nd place Manchester City.

The Dutch manager told the media after the draw vs. Tottenham that United will play much better in 2015 and said, “just watch us go.”

Manchester City VS Burnley

I Want To Be Like Pep Guardiola - Xavi

Xavi has revealed he one day hopes to follow in the footsteps of Pep Guardiola and make the transition from Barcelona midfielder to club coach. The 34-year-old replaced the now Bayern Munich boss in the Barca engine room when he made the break through at Camp Nou back in the late nineties.

With his playing career coming to an end, Xavi has now turned his thoughts to what he might do once he has hung up his boots for good, and thoughts of management are already at the forefront of his mind.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has ruled out making any January additions to his squad. Mourinho was active in the close-season as he lured Diego Costa, Filipe Luis, Loic Remy and Cesc Fabregas to Stamford Bridge, while veteran striker Didier Drogba also made an emotion return to the club.

Bolstered by the arrival of that particular quintet, Chelsea have set the pace at the top of the Premier League, reached the League Cup semi-finals and will face Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

HORROR!!! PSG Fans Stabbed In Barcelona

Paris Saint-Germain fans were stabbed in two separate incidents in Barcelona on Wednesday, Catalan police have confirmed. The Ligue 1 champions were beaten 3-1 at Camp Nou as Barca sealed top spot in Group F at the expense of their opponents, who qualified for the last 16 as runners-up.

On Thursday, Catalan police announced that some PSG supporters had been attacked close to the stadium and had been admitted to hospital. A statement released by the police confirmed that the first incident occurred at around 23:00 local time on Carrer de Felipe de Paz, close to Camp Nou.

Tottenham coach Mauricio Pochettino has told Emmanuel Adebayor to take as much time as he needs to sort out his off-field problems. The Togo international was granted a leave of absence on Wednesday with Tottenham releasing a statement saying the striker was allowed to return home for "personal reasons", with reports suggesting a family member has been taken ill.

It is not known how much action the 30-year-old will miss, but he definitely sits out Thursday's UEFA Europa League tie with Besiktas and is unlikely to return in time to face Swansea City in the Premier League on Sunday.

Oakland, Calif. (AP) Steve Kerr knew he had a lot of expectations on him after taking over a Golden State Warriors team that Mark Jackson led to a 51-win season and back-to-back playoff appearances.

In less than two months, Kerr has built on his predecessor's success and eclipsed every rookie coach that came before him. Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry shook off slow starts to finish with a flurry, and the Warriors extended their franchise-best winning streak to 14 games by beating the Houston Rockets 105-93 on Wednesday night.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic regrets Paris Saint-Germain's failure to punish Barcelona as they were knocked off the Group F top spot in Wednesday's 3-1 defeat.The Swede scored the opener against his old club but subsequent goals from Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez allowed Luis Enrique's men to leapfrog the visitors in their Champions League table.

Defeat for Laurent Blanc's side ensures that they will not be top seeds in the last 16 of the tournament, meaning they could be drawn against Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund or Porto.

Ikechukwu Tongololiki Mawakavamba Jawarapawara Uche is a name unlikely to fit on the back of a shirt. Fortunately, however, the Nigerian striker is better known simply as Uche - or Ike to his team-mates - and he is now the finest African footballer in La Liga.

The 30-year-old forward has spent his entire playing career in Spain, having moved at the age of 14 and worked his way up from regional football to the Primera Division with Villarreal via Racing Ferrol, Recreativo Huelva, Getafe, Zaragoza and a loan spell at Granada.

I Hope Lakers Loose Every Game - Magic Johnson

Hall of Famer Magic Johnson has once again spoken up on the state of the Los Angeles Lakers. He told reporters on Tuesday that his former team should tank, via Newsday's Neil Best:

The iconic Lakers star went so far Tuesday as to say this: "I hope the Lakers lose every game, because if you're going to lose, lose. I'm serious.

This tweets will surely make you laugh. Mikel Obi finally scored is first Champions League goal for Chelsea in his 55th appearance for the blues in the competition. One will expect some encouragement but the reverse is the case with more fans cracking jokes out of the situation..... This tweets will make you laugh. Read the tweets after the cut.....

Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has hinted at an unlikely cause for his recent 'bulking up'.
Speaking in the January issue of FourFourTwo the 25-year-old revealed the truth behind photographs taken during Madrid's pre-season tour of the United States in which he appeared to be far more muscular than he had ever been during his time in England with Southampton and Spurs.

PHOTOS: Former Boxing Promoter Insists On Sex Change Despite Near Death Experience

Kellie Maloney will go ahead with a final sex change operation to become a woman, despite being left close to death after her last surgery, Mirror.co.uk reports. The former boxing promoter is due to go under the knife again in February to have breast augmentation and male to female reassignment procedures.

She had been warned against further surgery after doctors spent 10 hours battling to save her life when she suffered internal bleeding following a facial reconstruction operation in Belgium.

CHELSEA 2 WEST BROM 1: Watch All Goals and Highlights

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Manuel Pellegrini Under Pressure Against Bayern Munich

Manuel Pellegrini has heaped the pressure on himself ahead of Manchester City's must-win UEFA Champions League clash with Bayern Munich. City's hopes of progression to the knockout stages are hanging by a thread after claiming just two points from their first four matches.

Pellegrini's men suffered a morale-sapping 2-1 home defeat to CSKA Moscow in Europe's premier club competition earlier this month in a match that saw them finish with nine men. The Premier League champions have enjoyed plenty of success domestically in recent years, with two league titles and glory in the FA Cup and League Cup appeasing the club's super-rich owners - at least for now.

Jose Mourinho has warned Chelsea they have won nothing yet despite another impressive performance in the triumph over West Brom. Diego Costa's 11th Premier League goal of the season and an Eden Hazard strike were enough for the leaders to defeat Alan Irvine's men 2-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The victory maintained Chelsea's league unbeaten run and moved them seven points clear of second-placed Southampton, who play Aston Villa on Monday. But manager Mourinho is keen to temper expectations despite his men being heavy favourites to lift the title.

NIGERIA 2 CONGO 0: Watch The Goals & Highlights

NFL: Adrian Peterson Suspended Without Pay For The Rest Of The Season

The NFL announced Tuesday morning that Adrian Peterson would be suspended without pay for the remainder of the 2014 season. The NFLPA announced plans to appeal the suspension and Peterson could seek other remedies. The union also added a surprising point, noting "an NFL executive told Adrian that his time on the commissioner's list would be considered as time served."

When Peterson was notified of his suspension, Roger Goodell issued a letter to the Vikings running back informing him how he'll be able to return to the league.

Charley Hoffman rallied from a three-shot deficit Sunday by closing with a 5-under 66 for a one-shot victory over Shawn Stefani in the OHL Classic at Mayakoba.

Hoffman ended another long drought with his third career victory on the PGA Tour. He had gone 105 starts between his first and second victory, and this time went 108 starts until winning the final PGA Tour event of the calendar year.

Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant doesn't want to shoot this often. That's what he told reporters, at least, after his team's embarrassing 136-115 loss -- it was 115-79 after three quarters -- to the Golden State Warriors on Sunday.

"I'd always rather get guys involved and play," Bryant said. "That's always the intent at the start of the ball game. But [when] you're 10, 12 points in the hole, I've got to try to keep us in the ball game at some point. But it's tough. It's tough.

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has hinted for the first time that he could leave the Catalan giants in the near future. The 27-year-old has long maintained his happiness at Camp Nou and always insisted that he would only move to join boyhood club Newell's in Argentina at the end of his career.

However, the attacker has endured some tough times over the last year in Catalunya due to injuries, a tax fraud case and troubles on the pitch as Barca won only the Supercopa de Espana in 2013-14.

Manchester United have confirmed the club suffered a 9.9 per cent revenue drop in the first quarter of the 2015 financial year. The results are the first of the new Premier League season and follow from United's disappointing campaign last time out in which they failed to qualify for the lucrative UEFA Champions League under David Moyes. Since then, the club have splashed the cash on a new-look side in an attempt to regain ground on their top-flight rivals.

However, United confirmed on Tuesday that overall revenue in the three months to the end of September had fallen from the 2014 figure of £98.5 million to £88.7m.

Nigeria will likely need to extend their 10-year unbeaten run over South Africa if they are to reach the Africa Cup of Nations finals. For Nigeria, anything but victory at the newly built Akwa Ibom International Stadium on Wednesday could be fatal for their chances of making the tournament in Equatorial Guinea.

They currently sit in second place in Group A, level on seven points with Claude Le Roy's Congo, who face bottom-of-the-group Sudan in their final qualifier.

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois insists the Premier League title race is still alive despite his team's dominance. Jose Mourinho's men are four points clear at the top and are unbeaten through 11 league games this campaign.

But Courtois said it was far from over, expecting it to be "very difficult" despite the struggles of Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool.

"We don't have the title in the bag," he said.

"We are working game by game. The Premier League is very difficult.

"We are trying to win with every game that is possible. But there will be a still a long way to win the title. We are working hard. Hopefully that will be enough."

Third-placed City are eight points behind Chelsea, while Arsenal (12), United (13) and Liverpool (15) are even further adrift.

17 November 2014

I Was Not Cocky - Paul Pogba

France midfielder Paul Pogba insists he was "not cocky" but learned his lessons from his team's 1-1 draw with Albania. Pogba was beaten to a cross by Mergim Mavraj as Albania took a surprise lead in the friendly, but Antoine Griezmann salvaged a draw for France in the second half.

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has cast his eye on victory over South Africa after describing the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Congo as a very difficult match.

Keshi said that there were no longer small teams on the continent as the Super Eagles won 2-0 in Pointe Noire to keep alive hopes of reaching next year’s tournament. The defending African champions were in danger of missing out on Equatorial Guinea 2015 but were aided by goals from Ikechukwu Uche and Aaron Samuel.

WEST BROM: Has Brown Ideye Failed???

West Brom are looking for a potential new striker in January as record signing Brown Ideye toils.
Albion’s £10million Nigerian forward, 26, signed from Dynamo Kiev in July, is yet to score in the Premier League. Brown did not even make the bench for Saturday’s 1-0 win at Leicester.

LeBron James has known Kyrie Irving for years. He's been a mentor for the young Cleveland Cavaliers point guard since he was a freshman at Duke. Irving has spoken of seeking out James for advice on his adjustment to the NBA both on and off the court.

So the fact that he and James aren't getting along 100 percent is a little surprising. James has made several comments this week about "bad habits" that have set in on the Cavs over the last couple of years, and as Irving has been the constant since James left in 2011, it's not shocking who James is talking about, along with Dion Waiters and Tristan Thompson.

Roy Hodgson's war of words with Brendan Rodgers re-emerged as the England manager brought the Raheem Sterling saga back into the spotlight. Hodgson and Rodgers were involved in a dispute in October, arguing over whether Liverpool attacker Sterling asked not to play against Estonia in a Euro 2016 qualifier.

Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome has supported Ray Rice's story all along. Even after commissioner Roger Goodell said Rice's account following a physical altercation with his then-fiancee in an Atlantic City hotel elevator hadn't been consistent, Newsome said that Rice had told the truth to Newsome.

Newsome reportedly didn't change his story Thursday, because, according to ESPN's Don Van Natta, Newsome testified under oath that he heard Rice tell Goodell on June 16 that he had hit Janay Rice in that elevator.

Mauricio Pochettino insisted the points were all that mattered after Tottenham limped to a 2-1 Europa League win at Asteras Tripoli. The Premier League side were in complete control by half-time of Thursday's clash, as first Andros Townsend scored from the penalty spot before turning provider for Harry Kane to head home a second - the striker's 10th goal in all competitions this season.

However, Asteras made life difficult for Spurs in the second half as Diego Rolle and Facundo Parra wasted great chances, while Pablo Mazza saw a shot cannon off the post.

England manager Roy Hodgson said he is unhappy with the surface at Wembley, which will host an NFL game prior to a Euro 2016 qualifier. Hodgson's men, who top Group E in qualifying with maximum points from three games, host Slovenia on November 15, less than a week after the Dallas Cowboys and Jacksonville Jaguars do battle in London on Sunday.

The 67-year-old said he felt the surface was already below standard acceptable for international football, and said he was seeking a solution - despite Wembley officials announcing another three NFL matches will be played at the venue in 2015.

Manchester United Not Good Enough - Michael Carrick

Michael Carrick conceded Manchester United have not been good enough this season, though he believes the club can turn things around. United were condemned to their worst start to a season in 28 years after losing 1-0 to Manchester City in Sunday's Premier League derby at Etihad Stadium.
Louis van Gaal's side have only collected 13 points from 10 games, 13 less than league-leading Chelsea.

While the 2014-15 Premier League campaign has not gone according to plan so far, United midfielder Carrick is confident his team-mates are on the right track as they continue to familiarise themselves with Van Gaal's game plan.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo is currently the best player in the world. The Champions League holders are set to host the Reds on Tuesday night knowing a win would take them into the knockout stages of European football's premier club competition. And Rodgers is aware of the threat Ronaldo will pose, though he is not underestimating the rest of Los Blancos' squad.

ALL HAIL KANO PILLARS - New Champions Of The Nigerian Premier League

Kano Pillars have technically emerged winners of the prolonged 2013/2014 Glo Premier League even with one round of matches yet to be played. Pillars edged relegated Nembe City 4-0 in their last home match of the season while Enyimba drew 1-1 with Dolphins of Port Harcourt at the Liberation Stadium.

The result in Kano means Pillars now have 65 points and would be crowned a third time back-to-back champions irrespective of the outcome of their last game of the season away to Enyimba. It is the second time Pillars and Enyimba have been locked in a photo-finish clash with the Pyramid City side coming out tops at the end of the day.

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo’s superb strike against Liverpool has been named the UEFA Champions League Goal of the Week, presented by Nissan, for Matchday Three. The Portuguese forward ran on to James Rodriguez’s deftly chipped pass and lifted a brilliant first-time shot over Simon Mignolet to put the competition holders ahead at Anfield.

Ronaldo is in sensational form and has now scored 70 UEFA Champions League goals, trailing all-time top goalscorer Raul by just one.

Oscar insists summer signing Cesc Fabregas has taken Chelsea to another level this season with his "beautiful passes".

The Blues finished third in the Premier League last term but have made an undefeated start to the current campaign and sit four point clear at the top of the table after 10 games. Oscar played an integral role in Chelsea's latest victory, netting the opener in Saturday's 2-1 defeat of QPR courtesy of a sublime finish with the outside of his right foot.

Saturday's defeat at home to Celta has set the alarm bells ringing at Barcelona. No one was expecting anything like this, on a day when the 'Azulgranas' were supposed to make it up to their fans for the debacle at the Santiago Bernabéu the week before.

So a season which had started out very positively has now run aground. All eyes are on Luis Enrique, and his team seems to have an identity crisis. One day they want to hold on to the ball, and another they play at a hectic pace taking no account of the midfield at all.

Ivan Rakitic was the player to watch during the first few matches of the season. He came into the side admirably well, but appears to have fallen out of favour. Enrique has picked him five times, and the first three he did very well indeed, but then came the draw at Málaga and the defeat in Paris, and he has not started since.

31 December 2014

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07 November 2014

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03 November 2014