Emenike fined in Russian

Inspite of being the victim of a racial abuse, Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike was Friday fined US$17,000 for his reaction to monkey chants at him by fans of Dinamo Moscow during last Sunday's 3:1 derby win by his club Spartak Moscow. "We decided it was an adequate punishment," said Vladimir Vasilyev, a Russian Football Union (RFU) ethics committee official. Russia is struggling with an unwanted image as a racist enclave ahead on the 2018 World Cup which it hosts, but the decision to fine Emenike and not sanction the fans for their racist behaviour is sure to raise questions about the country's sincerity about fighting one of the sports biggest problems. Emenike, who was also given a suspended season ban, raised his middle finger to the fans, but later admitted he lost his cool. His coach Valery Karpin was not pleased by the sanctions:"I have to agree that Emenike did something that he should not have done. "But at the same time I couldn't follow logic in the FA's decision as they didn't take any action against the Dynamo fans who had racially abused Emenike," he told reporters. "I'm glad they didn't ban Emenike, otherwise it would have looked like an outright racial discrimination."

Anichebe and Moses scores for the winning side in the EPL

Nigeria forwards Victor Moses and Victor Anichebe were heroes for their clubs after sealing identical 2:0 wins in the English Premier League on Saturday. Moses ensured all three points against Stoke City when he rounded goalkeeper Asmir Begovic in stoppage time to slot home his fourth goal of the season and give his club hopes of surviving relegation. Wigan are second from bottom and still have much work to do to stay in the top-flight, but they are within touching distance of a clutch of teams immediately above of them. Anichebe also grabbed his fourth goal of the season to help Everton to a win against West Brom. Playing just his ninth league game of the campaign, he hammered his effort in off the post on 68 minutes, following good work from South Africa midfielder Steven Pienaar. The striker had been on the field just six minutes before making his presence felt. Also on target in England today were Morocco and Mali midfielders Adel Taarabt and Samba Diakite. Both scored for Queens Park Rangers in a 2:1 win over visitors Arsenal. Taarabt netted what was his first goal of the season on 22 minutes when he shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area, while Diakite, 23, dispatched a cutback from Jamie Mackie for the vital winner for QPR in the 66th minute. It was also the first goal by the Mali midfielder since he joined QPR on loan from Nancy after the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

Golden Eaglets resume training in Calabar

Nigeria’s U17 team, the Golden Eaglets, will resume residential training in Calabar with a squad of 40 players at the end of April. Nigeria will take on next-door neighbours Niger in an African Junior Championship first round qualifier in September. The first leg will be played in Niamey on September 7, while the return clash is fixed for September 21. The Eaglets under new coach Manu Garba embarked a massive screening in Abuja recently and it is from this exercise that a final squad of 40 players were selected. The three-time world champions have failed to qualify for the last two African Junior championships in Algeria and Rwanda. Burkina Faso are the defending champions.

Mustapha Babadidi injured

As the list of 26 home-based players for the April 12 friendly match against Egypt was released on Friday, some Nigeria Premier League watchers are wondering how the players on the list were selected and by whom. Top among the list of players invited is Gombe United striker Mustapha Babadidi who is the leading scorer in the league. Babadidi is currently nursing an injury. In as much as most agree with Ike Shorunmu, the assistant coach of the Super Eagles, that the match will help pep up the home-based players, a lot seems to have been left to be desired by the making up of the list of players invited to the national team. “Can you play matches with injured players or will they get better by playing,” asked Ken Ochonogor, a football commentator in Lagos. “You know it disturbs you when this kind of list comes out and you have players that are currently injured having their names included. Babadidi is currently injured and he has been out of action for the last three weeks and it will be another three weeks before he can even start running. So how come he gets included when the friendly match is in two weeks’ time? “The match is to serve as a build-up towards the Nations and the World Cup qualifiers in June but with this lopsided list, things may not continue to work as the original plan intended it to,” Ochonogor concluded. Goal.com called Babadidi, who confirmed the injury. “I have a small injury and I have not played for three weeks,” said Babadidi. When he was asked when he will be returning, the nine –goal scorer in the NPL said; “Maybe in two weeks.” Gombe United coach also confirmed the injury and that of Babadidi’s strike partner, Sanusi Sani. It is expected that the NFF will name a replacement for Babadidi in the next few days.

QPR defender Onuoha agonising over Nigeria choice

QPR defender Nedum Onuoha is agonising over a decision about his international future. Onuoha has 21 England Under-21 caps, but was born in Nigeria. He told the Guardian: "The feeling I get when I'm watching Nigeria is different to the feeling when I'm watching England. But then also, I've lived my life here, I feel privileged to play here. It's hard for people to understand. I was born in Nigeria. There's a lot of pressure to play for Nigeria from some of my older relatives. I want to make a decision when I'm playing well enough to be considered by England too."

Offensive tweet on Muambaearns student jail sentence

LONDON (AFP) – A British university student was on Tuesday jailed for 56 days for inciting racial hatred, after posting offensive comments on Twitter about the collapse of Bolton Wanderers footballer Fabrice Muamba. Magistrates in Swansea, south Wales, sent 21-year-old biology undergraduate Liam Stacey to prison after he admitted the charge at a previous hearing last week. He broke down in tears as he was taken away in handcuffs. Sentencing the student, district judge John Charles said there was “no alternative” to an immediate prison sentence, as when Muamba collapsed “it was not the football world who was praying for him… everybody was praying for his life”. Stacey’s remarks on Twitter as the footballer battled for his life were “vile and abhorrent”, the judge added. The student was reported to police and arrested after posting a number of tweets on the micro-blogging site mocking the player, who collapsed with a cardiac arrest during Bolton’s FA Cup quarter-final tie with Tottenham Hotspur on March 17. Stacey was taken to task by other users after he used offensive language to say that the player had died, prompting him to respond with a tirade of personal abuse. Swansea University said last week that they had suspended Stacey pending a formal disciplinary hearing. Muamba, whom doctors said was effectively dead for 78 minutes as they administered artificial resusciation, has since made a “miraculous” recovery but is still in a serious but stable condition in intensive care at a London hospital. The 23-year-old midfielder was on Monday said to be making “encouraging” progress and had even managed to sit out of bed and watch television, doctors at the London Chest Hospital said in a statement. His collapse led to the FA Cup tie being abandoned. The match is due to be replayed at Spurs’ White Hart Lane ground on Tuesday night. A number of Bolton players were seen visiting their colleague in hospital ahead of the game.

Arshavin involved in car crash

Andrey Arshavin has revealed that he escaped unhurt from a car crash on Thursday. It had been reported that the Russia international was driving his BMW in St Petersburg when he collided with another vehicle and the player has now confirmed not only the veracity of the story, but also that nobody was hurt in the accident. To avoid the unnecessary gossip,I'd like to give a statement," Arshavin wrote on his official website. "It is true that I was involved in an accident today [Thursday], but I am okay and nobody got hurt. "What do I remember of the incident? A tram driver gave me a grapefruit as he was passing by." Arshavin, who has been capped 68 times by his country, rejoined Zenit on loan from Arsenal just before the close of the Russian transfer window in late February.

Gyan leads UAE scorerschart with brace

Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan scored a brace on Friday as Al Ain beat Bani Yas 3-0 to become the UAE Pro league's top scorer with 15 goals. Ali Al Wehaibi put Al Ain ahead at the Tahnoon Bin Mohammed Stadium on 26 minutes and and Gyan added the second nine minutes after the break. The on-loan Sunderland striker sealed victory with his second in the 84th minutes. Al Ain are still at the summit of the UAE Pro League table as they close in on their 10th title with five matches remaining.

MICHAEL UCHEBO Leaving VVV Venlo

Much coveted striker Michael Uchebo could depart VVV Venlo at the end of the season informs Voetbal International. The 22-year-old had signed a three-year contract with VVV in October 2009 after impressing at the Fifa Under 20s in Egypt. The Dutch club won't activate the clause in Uchebo's contract which allows for a two-year extension. Uchebo is not having a good season, only one goal has been scored in the championship. Danny Hoesen of Fortuna Sittard is being touted as his replacement at the Limburg based club. The former Enugu Rangers forward had been linked with Stoke City, Glasgow Rangers and Celtic in the winter market. But a deal failed to materialize because of work permit issues. The Scottish clubs also did not meet his one million euros valuation by VVV Venlo.

Flying Eagles ace Kayode loaned to Swiss side

Nigeria youth international striker Olanrewaju Kayode has moved on loan from Ivorian club Asec to FC Luzern in Switzerland till November. FC Luzern, who once paraded Nigeria 2002 World Cup goalkeeper Ike Shorunmu, were Swiss champions in 1989. They are currently second in the Swiss top flight with 38 points from 25 matches, 11 points adrift of leaders FC Basle. They have loaned out Nigerian defender Adekunle Lukmon to local rivals Kriens. The 19-year-old Kayode has been unsettled at top Ivorian club Asec since the middle of last year after he featured for Nigeria at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Colombia. This may not have been unconnected with speculations about his future as he was linked to various clubs in Europe. He was later loaned out to another Ivorian club AFAD Djekanni before he eventually moved to Switzerland.

NPL hotshot Mustapha Babadidi gets Eagles call

NPL hotshot Mustapha Babadidi has been called up by Nigeria for a friendly match against Egypt next month. Gombe United teenaged striker, who claims to have scored 10 goals this season as against the nine credited to him, is one of 26 players from the domestic league invited for an April 12 clash with Egypt in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Babadidi, whose goals this season have already earned him an invitation to the country’s U17 team, is one of 10 new invitees. The other new invitees are Gbolahan Salami, Nura Mohammed (Enyimba), Goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland), Ahmed Adesope (3SC), Shehu Maija’ma (Wikki Tourists), Uzochukwu Ogonna (Enugu Rangers), Lawal Mohammed (Ranch Bees), Jabason Solomon (Akwa United) as well as Hassan Hussein (Dolphin). Home-based Eagles skipper Chigozie Agbim is at the head of the squad that has picked three goalkeepers, eight defenders and 15 midfielders and forwards. Players and officials are expected at the Bolton White Apartments, Zone 7, Abuja on Monday, April 2 before 1pm, with their international passports. THE FULL SQUAD: Goalkeepers: Chigozie Agbim (Warri Wolves), Okemute Odah (Sharks), Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland) Defenders: Juwon Oshaniwa (Sharks), Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars), Azubuike Egwueke (Warri Wolves), Papa Idris (Kano Pillars), Ahmed Adesope (3SC), Shehu Maija’ma (Wikki Tourists), Uzochukwu Ogonna (Enugu Rangers), Nura Mohammed (Enyimba) Midfielders/Forwards: Obinna Nwachukwu (Heartland), Bartholomew Ibenegbu (Heartland), Izu Azuka (Sunshine Stars), Uche Kalu (Enyimba ), Uche Ossai (Warri Wolves), Reuben Gabriel (Kano Pillars), Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers), Sunday Mba (Warri Wolves), Henry Uche (Enyimba), Barnabas Imenger Jnr (Kwara United), Mustapha Babadidi (Gombe United), Jabason Solomon (Akwa United), Hassan Hussein (Dolphin), Gbolahan Salami (Enyimba), Lawal Mohammed (Ranch Bees)

Nigeria Football Federation has not contacted Tom Saintfiet

The Nigeria Football Federation released a communiqué on Wednesday night where it was revealed that Belgian Tom Saintfiet is the new technical director of football in the country. Saintfeit was given a four- year contract and will be paid $20,000 (€15,025) a month. But the new technical director is apparently in the dark concerning his appointment. “I'm sorry I don't have any official confirmation of anything and it will be wrong to comment on what I feel even though I am anxiously looking forward to working with the Nigeria federation,” Saintfiet told Complete Sports on Wednesday night. “As I am talking to you now I am in Germany, walking on the street. I have not received any call from the federation telling me the outcome of their meeting so I cannot tell you anything. It is not wise to do that. Maybe tomorrow you can call, and then I may have something to say,” Saintfeit added. “I will be in Belgium [today]. Maybe you can call and we can talk about it,” he added. The communiqué reveals that the 39 year-old Belgian, who was a former coach of Namibia, will be in charge of football development in the country and training of local coaches. The communiqué states that, the “Committee approved the recommendation of its Technical Sub-Committee to appoint Mr Tom Saintfiet, a 39-year old Belgian, as the National Technical Director. It also charged the Technical Sub-Committee to recommend a Nigerian Coach who will work with and understudy the Belgian.” However no date was given in the release for the resumption date of the new technical director

EAGLES LIST FOR THE FRIENDLY MATCH AGAINST EGYPT WILL BE RELEASED ON FRIDAY

.But after a meeting with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) leadership, Keshi was given the time out to visit his family and join the team in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on April 9. He will thus join the team three days before the match against the Pharaohs of Egypt to be played on April 12 at the same venue. Keshi had given his list of players to prosecute the encounter to the Technical Committee of the NFF, and the list which was earlier scheduled to be released on Wednesday, will now be published on Friday, while the team resumes camp on Monday,April 2, 2012. Camp venue remains Bolton White Hotel and Apartments. Keshi had already told the NFF leadership that he was delighted with the friendly against the Pharaohs of Egypt, as it would afford him the opportunity of playing his burgeoning home-based side against the all-time African Nations Cup winners. In Keshi’s absence, Daniel ‘the Bull’ Amokachi, will take charge alongside Sylvanus Okpala, Hyndounou Valere and Ike Shorunmi. Meanwhile Belgian, Tom Saintfeit, has been named as the new technical director of the NFF. He was given a four year contract and will earn $20,000 (€15, 025) a month

Rio Ferdinand Tweets That He Loves Dbanj Oliver Twist Song

No be small matter oh, Manchester United's Defender Rio Ferdinand posted on twitter saying how much he loved Dbanj's Oliver Twist song. His Tweet reads: Oliver Twist by D'banj is my song of the day so far.....loving this track! Anyone got any African music I should be getting?? #WorldMusic

Official: TOM SAINTFIET Appointed Technical Director

Subject to a work permit to be granted by the Nigerian authorities, former Westerlo youth player Tom Saintfiet has been appointed as the Technical Director of the National Teams of Nigeria. The young Belgian has been offered a four-year deal by the Nigeria Federation. Saintfiet, 38, is a globetrotter in football terms after coaching spells with Namibia and Ethiopia. Last October he was appointed as the Zimbabwe gaffer but he parted ways with the South African nation because of a bureaucratic pitfall. The Belgian earlier this month was interviewed in Nigeria by the Technical Committee of the Nigeria Federation including one of his old pals, the ex Liege player Victor Ikpeba. In other appointments announced by the Nigeria Federation on Wednesday, Kadiri Ikhana will handle the Women's National Team while John Obuh is making a return as the coach of the Under 20 selection.

Zenith St Petersburg forward Andrei Arshavin has shared his thoughts and impressions on the Nigeria international Emmanuel Emenike. Emenike has been charged by the Russia Federation for making an obscene gesture to the supporters of Dynamo Moscow in the last round of matches in the Russian championship. ''The player does not have to do that, but you can understand. I would not punish Emenike. Maybe a reprimand should be done,'' says Arshavin to Soviet Sport . The 24-year old Nigerian striker could be banned for at least two games, and fined for his behavior last weekend

SONE ALUKO Interesting Espanyol

With great interest Spanish club Espanyol are monitoring the performances of the Nigerian winger Sone Aluko who is currently on the books of Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers. As reported by the Scottish sun, Espanyol, which parades the Super Eagles player Kalu Uche, could table a bid for the 23-year-old at the end of the season. Aluko signed a short team deal with Rangers last fall with an option for an additional two seasons. However with Rangers financial woes it is uncertain if they would exercise the option. Jimmy Calderwood, ex Aberdeen gaffer, has told the Rangers faithfuls that Aluko is not about to jump ship. He said: '' If they come out of administration I’m sure one of the first things they’ll want to do is tie Sone down. Sone loves it at Rangers.'' It is understood that clubs in the English Premiership also want Aluko for next season

Tragedy in Zambia - AC Virgin playersdrown

Twenty players from DR Congo club AC Virgin KA drowned in Luapula River in Zambia on their way from a weekend fixture. According to the vice-commissioner of Laupula District, Aaron Mushanga, the Congolese players and their fans were returning from a match against a Zambian team on Sunday when their three boats capsized in the town’s most popular river “Their boats capsized in the middle of Luapula River after being hit by a strong wave generated by another passing boat,” Mushanga said.“The ill-fated boats carried a total of over 100 people, but 80 of them were rescued by the crew while at least 20 perished,” he added. As at Tuesday, locals were working to pull out the remains of the boats while municipal police identified other bodies. FIFA president Sepp Blatter has sent condolences to the Congo football federation. “On behalf of FIFA and on my own behalf, I extend to you and to the Congo football federation my deepest condolences,” Blatter wrote in a message to Constant Omari Selemani, president of the FECOFA

Tragedy in Zambia - AC Virgin playersdrown

Nigeria Clubs result

CAF Champions League
Recreativo of Angola 4
Sunshine Stars of Akure 1

Dolphins of Port Harcourt 2
Cottonsport of Cameroun 1

Confederation Cup
FC Kallon of Sierra Leone 0
Warri Wolves 0

US of Cameroun 0 Heartland
of Owerri 0

NPL
ABS 2 Lobi Stars 1
Enyimba 1 Rising Stars 0
Rangers 2 Akwa Utd 1
Gombe 1 Kano Pillars 0
Tornadoes 1 Sharks 0
Kaduna Utd 2 3SC 0