Neymar, Suarez, Messi Gives Barca Comfortable 4-0 defeat at Camp Nou

Neymar, Suarez and Messi all contributed to the mauling of Real Sociedad by 4-0 at Camp Nou, putting the Catalans on top of the Spanish Laliga Table.

Barcelona are currently a team with the best attacking line-up in Europe, with the trio of Neymar, Suarez and Messi being instrumental to this.

Barca have scored fourteen goals in three consecutive matches and have conceded only one, leaving the club with an average of five goals per match.

Barca beat Madrid 4-0 in Bernabeu, Roma 6-1 in UEFA champions League in a second leg clash at Camp Nou, and Real Sociedad 4-0 at Camp Nou.

Is Messi Greater Than Maradona?

                                                                                                                                                        
Sports enthusiast have had course to disagree on who is greater between these two Argentine  football living legends. While some argue that Maradona has won the world Cup and Messi has not, others feel that in looking at who is greater, we have to look beyond the FIFA World Cup, as there are several other players who have won the World Cup but can not be compared with Messi.

So far, Diego Maradona scored a total of 31 goals for Argentina during his hey days, while Messi as at time of this write-up has scored 46 goals for Argentina. Interestingly, Messi was also privileged to win the Olympic Men football Gold for Argentina, which is also among the Three FIFA most recognized tournament, others are the FIFA World Cup and FIFA  Confederations Cup.

On issue of the Copa America, Maradona did not win the title during his playing days, while Messi has not won it, but, still have one more opportunity to win it if he does not retire from international football in 2019. The Copa America is arguably the oldest international continental football tournament.

When we come to club football, Messi has won everything available in the game, but Maradona did not during his playing days. On individual football award, Messi did not just win individual awards, but he broke records and created fresh records that are yet to be surpassed. 

This article is not aimed at reaching a conclusion based on the statistics available, but it is also interested in the individual opinion of a large number of Sports enthusiast, critics and fans of both living legends.

How Much Do YOU know about the Super Eagles? (Crack Your Brain)

Can you Remember any 5 matches played by the Super Eagles in which they conceded LATE MINUTE GOALS and failed to progress to the next stage?

Nigeria may not even win a gold in Ayo if introduced in the Olympics.

 Youth mastering the tricks and tactics of Ayo, hoping that someday it shall be introduced into the Olympics.

Ayo is one of the Trado-Sports that originated from West Africa and Yoruba land to be specific. Its often referred to as "Trado-Sports" because it is yet to get full international recognition. In Nigeria the only time it gets national recognition is during the National Sports Festival.

It is called "Ayo" in Yoruba, "Ncho" in Igbo, "Nsa Akpukpok" in Ibibio, "Ogirise" in Bini to mention but a few. The game makes one keep away from stress, but high mental alertness is required with the intention of one of the players trying to win more pebbles to himself.

In Nigeria, it it given more attention by the elderly while the youth make out time for it when it looks as if there is nothing to be done. Gradually, Ayo is getting into oblivion in the land of its origin, adequate attention is not given towards its development and this is very bad for the nation.
  In Western World Children start learning how to play Ayo at Under-5, whereas the reverse is the case here in Nigeria.


Critically speaking, the Western World have given more attention to the founders and ample time is given to it in Western World to have the game develop. But the big question is this, if Ayo is introduced into the Olympics tomorrow, is Nigeria sure of winning a gold medal in it? In countries like China where Table-Tennis is often traced to they are major contenders as far as the game is concerned.

In Nigeria, this writer have taken time to travel to randomly selected local government areas in the South-West, South-East and South-South of Nigeria, no local government Chairman, Ward Councillor has built a special recreational places where Ayo can be exclusively played. However, there are reserved areas for Football, which is often seen as our National Sports.
 
Youth playing Ayo in Europe in an exclusively reserved area for Ayo. These youth will grow up understanding this game than most Nigerian youth.

This writer once commended the the decision of the former Chairman of the Yaba LCDA in Lagos, Nigeria Hon. Jide Jimoh for organizing an Ayo competition for people living within the Local Government, our presence was also made available to encourage the promotion of the game, but unfortunately, only the elderly men and women participated in the competition. Another question we must ask is this, is Ayo a game for elderly people in Nigeria, but for the Youth in the Western World? You may begin to answer it yourself.

Someday, Ayo may be introduced in the Olympics, is Nigeria sure of getting a gold in the game? If our understanding in Nigeria is that the game is for the elderly alone, what eventually happens if there is a clause that say you must not be more than thirty years of age to take part in it. Did I hear someone say over-age will be allowed and if not we find a way around it. Anyway, I have made my point clear to all who care to promote and develop the game of Ayo.

The Poor State of Boxing in Nigeria

Photo: www.mynewswatchtimesng.com

The Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics is less than a year from today, and as each day comes, the memory of Nigeria's first medal at the Olympics seems to be in a poor state.

Nigeria won her very first Olympic medal in Tokyo 1964, when Nojim Maiyegun won Bronze. This performance gave room for medals in the game of boxing, and in Munich 1972, Isaac Ikhouria won another Bronze. To confirm that we were not jinxed with Bronze, Peter Konyegwachi won Silver in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

In the Atlanta 1996 Olympics, Duncan Dokiwari won Silver and that was the last time we did something serious with the game of Boxing at the Olympics.

Boxing is our pride, it is easier to say Nigeria is a Boxing nation than a football nation, because it gave us our very first, second and third medal at the Olympics. Being an individual Sports, we should be able to identify and develop Boxers, but the reverse is the case.

As we count in months to Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics, the poor state of Boxing in the nation is really being a thing of concern considering the fact that it's not team Sport where you need more athletes to do the job, only one identified and developed person is what is needed.                          

Unfortunately it does not look as if we have plans for the forth coming Olympics as far as Boxing is concerned. And if nothing serious is done, Boxing will only become history in Nigeria.

Understanding The Goal Line Technology: When is it a GOAL?

Photo:worldsoccertalk.com

Since the introduction of the goal Line technology by the world governing football body FIFA, in the 2014 World Cup, there has been more controversy by fans, on acceptance of certain goals in matches.

For some, they feel that their team was either denied of a particular goal or made to accept a goal that is NO GOAL. However, attempt is being made though this medium, to clarify certain issues.

Goal line technology is a system in which 14 cameras are installed around the rim of a stadium, with 7 cameras targeted on each goal post, while they are connected to a central main frame which analyses each shot on goal. When the match ball crosses the goal line, the referee will feel a vibration on a special wrist watch which he is wearing and receive a visual sign stating "GOAL".

In the absence of goal line technology, what determines a goal is when the ball must have crossed the goal line. The ball must not have any association with the line otherwise it is "NO GOAL".

Mikel Obi May Become Chelsea New Captain-Mourinho

 



Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is looking up to appointing Super Eagles Star Mikel Obi as next captain of Chelsea if John Terry (34) retires. This Mourinho told Dailymail.co.uk.

Mikel has spent nine years in Stamford Bridge, being the second longest serving player after John Terry. Hence, mantle of leadership is most likely to get to him once there is vacuum in the captaincy of the club.
Although, Mourinho noted that Cesc Fabregas posses the quality of a leader, but Mikel is favoured for the position.

Mikel who was rumoured to leave the club sometime ago, had cleared the air by saying he would remain at Stamford Bridge. Mikel if considered as captain of Chelsea would become the second Super Eagles player to captain an English side after Austin Jay-Jay Okocha who captained Bolton during his hey days. 

England's Best Teams Struggle To Make it To Knockout Stage

England's best teams Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal are yet to qualify for the knockout stage of the ongoing 2016 UEFA Champions League. This is the real situation after match day five of the Group stage matches.

Four teams (Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City) represent England in this edition of the football tournament. Manchester City is the only club to secure a place in the knockout stage after match day four. Ironically, City is the only team amongst the four that is yet to reach the quarter final stage of the tournament. While United, Chelsea and Arsenal have all played in the final stage of the tournament, with Chelsea and Man United winning the title on one and three occasions respectively.

Manchester United would have secured a spot in the knockout stage if they had beaten PSV Eindhoven on match day five, but owing to the draw, they are left with no other option than to wait till last day. Chelsea won their match and leveled up with Porto who lost, while Arsenal who defeated Dynamo Zagreb 3-0 must necessarily beat Olympiakos  in her next match to secure a spot. A draw will comfortably send them out of the knockout stage.

This performance is not really good for England as a whole, as matches lost could affect their ranking in UEFA country ranking, where England is currently third on the list, with Spain and Germany being first and second respectively.

Manchester City however gave a good account of themselves, by beating one of the Spanish representatives Sevilla at home and away, securing the maximum four points needed for England as a nation.

Atletico, Juventus, Benfica and PSG scale through to knockout stage, Chelsea Man United others yet to qualify

Photo:gettyimages

Atletico Madrid, Juventus, Benfica and Paris Saint German all scaled through to the knockout stage of the 2016 UEFA champions league, with all the teams still having one more match to play.

They are to join Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern, Manchester City and Zenit who had already qualified, bringing the total number of teams that have qualified to the round of 16 be nine. Hence, playing on the last  day of group matches will be for formality.

Other clubs who have hope of qualifying to the knockout stage are Roma or Bayer Leverkusen from Group E tied on five points each, Olympiakos or Arsenal from Group F with nine and six points respectively and Gent or Valencia from Group H with seven and six points respectively.

Interestingly, Group B and G will have to wait till the last day of the match, when the two teams that will emerge from each of the groups will be determined.

Wolfsburg, Manchester United and PSV Eindhoven from Group B have nine, eight and seven points respectively,  while Porto and Chelsea are tied with ten points each in Group G, as well as Dynamo Kyiv with eight points still in same group.

The final day for the group matches will be on the 8th and 9th day of December 2015.

Zenit Worsens Valencia's Situation, trash Valencia 2-0

Photo: Getty images

Zenit secured the maximum fifteen points available after playing five matches by beating Valencia 2-0 thereby compounding the woes of their visitors.

Valencia are currently number three on the table with six points, while Gent are second with seven points. Valencia must win her next match and hope that Zenit beat Gent for them.

Chelsea Close to Knockout Stage, Arsenal Need a Miracle

Photo: www.ibtimes.com

Chelsea are very close to qualifying for the knockout stage of the Champions League, after bashing Maccabi Tel Aviv 0-4 in Israel.

Mourinho men are ten points tied with Porto, who were defeated by Dynamo Kiev thereby making the group open. Chelsea will need to beat Porto in the final group match, to secure the top spot in the group.

In another development, Arsenal got their second win of the group stage matches today, after beating Dynamo Zagreb 3-0 at Emirate stadium to secure six points.

Arsenal must win their next match against Olympiakos, which comes up on wednesay December 9 by at least two unreplied goals.

Bayern Are Through To Next Stage after Mauling Olympiacos 4-0

Photo: bleacherreport.com

Bayern Munich are through to the next round of the UEFA Champions League after thrashing Olympiakos 4-0 at Alen Arena.

Goals from Costa (1), Lewandowski (1), Muller (1) and Coman, put them through to the knockout stage with twelve points and one more match to go.

Bayern will take on Dynamo Zagreb in her final group match on Wednesday November 9.

Barcelona Spell Roma At Camp (6-1)

Photo:Getty image

Barcelona are perfectly through to the knockout stage of the 2015/16 UEFA Champions League finals, after mauling their guest Roma, at Camp Nou by 6-1.

Goals from Suarez (2), Messi (2), Pique (1) and Adriano (1) guaranteed their automatic qualification to the next stage. Roma's consolation goal came in the 91minutes through Dzeko before the match came to an end.

Must You Take Part In A Competition Before you Ride a Bicycle?

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A lot of people feel that a formal bicycle competition need to take place, before they can compete and exercise themselves. But that's not true.
Bicycle riding is one leisurely exercise you can do while performing house chores, you could take a ride to the grocery and in that process be exercising, shopping as well as having fun. In case you do not know, there is contraction in the process and its pretty good for your lap.
Experts advise that its important you check your body weight and that of the bicycle, to ensure that you get better results.

UEFA Champions league Predictions

Photo: costabravasd.com

(1) Bayern-Olympiacos
This is a match of struggle on who will top the group as both teams tie on nine points each. Bayern shall seek to go to the top, while their guest will hope to at least get a draw. PREDICTIONS: Both teams will score each other, Over 2.5.

(2) Zenit-Valencia
Zenit is currently on top and has qualified with 12 points, while Valencia which is currently second on the table with 6 points need to win to keep their hope of qualifying alive. Valencia will need to be very tactical to win,as Zenit has not lost any match.PREDICTIONS: Both teams will score each other, Zenit will either win or draw, Over 3.5 is an option.

(3) Macabi Tel Aviv- Chelsea
Champions League and the FA Cup are the only source of hope for Chelsea to win title this season, and this will propel Mourinho to field a very strong team when they travel to Israel. Tel Aviv who is yet to win a match may want to perform some miracle but I doubt if such would work for a Mourinho led side who currently believe that their hope of coming to next Champions League is by winning the title. PREDICTIONS: Chelsea to win, Over 2.5

(4) Porto-Dynamo Kyiv
Porto have qualified already with 10 points but will not take chances in this match, considering the fact that Chelsea will be playing the weakest team in the group. Hence, they will go have outright win so as to extend their lead irrespective of the outcome of the other match in the group. Kyiv will try to win too, hoping that Chelsea will make a mistake. PREDICTIONS: Outright win for Porto, both teams to score each other, Over 2.5

(5) Barcelona - Roma
This match is a must-win for Roma who trail 5 points behind Barca who are currently group leaders. However, I wonder how they will do this with the return of Messi. Barca have qualified with 10 points already but they will do everything possible to increase their lead, while Roma will co.e out to score. PREDICTIONS: Over 3.5, both teams will score each other.

(6) BATE - Bayer Leverkusen
This is a win-win situation, as both teams need winning to keep the hope alive, while they pray that Barca will do them a favour by beating Roma. Leverkusen are under higher pressure to win considering the fact that their last match will be against Barca, so they'll need to win. PREDICTIONS: Leverkusen to win, Over 3.5,Over 2.5.

Best of Luck.

A Weekend of Intrigue, Shock and Surprises

This weekend was filled with lots of surprises, not just because teams that won did not deserve to win, but the manner and margin with which they won is so surprising.

Who will believe that Liverpool could travel to Etihad and trash Manchester City 1-4, or that Barca would travel to Bernebeu and hammer Madrid 0-4. May be a 2-4,1-2, 3-4,2-3 and so on would have been understandable.

Arsenal travelled to West Brom and lost by 2-1, while Southampton lost at home to Stoke City by 0-1.

Interestingly, Chelsea managed to beat Norwich City at Stamford bridge by 1-0 this weekend, while Leicester City climbed to the top of the table after beating Newcastle 0-3, while Everton mauled Aston Villa by 4-0.

Indeed, it was a weekend of harvest of goals, surprises and shock.