World Number Five Rafael Nadal is a winner again. The Spanish Superstar beat David Nalbandian 6-2, 6-3 in Sao Paolo, Brazil to claim his 1st title since his return from a seven month injury lay-off. It was a win written in the stars. The script was slightly disrupted when Horacio Zeballos upstaged the Majorcan in Chile to win his maiden title. Nadal however won his 51st title of a glory laden career in style after coming from 3-0 down to win the 2nd set and the match. He thrust his arms in the air and fist pumped to show how much the title meant to him. It was his 8th singles match since his return to action. The victory in Sao Paolo was the 37th Clay Court title of his immeasurably successful career.
Agreed, the level of competition in both tournaments was low by Rafa's standards. This was a good start nonetheless. Reaching 3 finals in two weeks is a fine beginning for Nadal. With star studded Tournaments like Indian Wells and Miami coming in thick and fast, his level of preparedness must be in peak conditions to compete well with the elite of Tennis. Rafa hasn't reached that level yet. Playing 3 setters v lower ranked players especially on clay is not Nadal-like. Even Roger Federer struggles to take a set off a fully fit Rafa on clay. His shot-making, running, fighting ability, forehand, backhand, etc haven't exactly been present in the 8 matches he has played. Uncle Toni and the rest of the team have a lot of work to do in order to put Rafa in top shape.
The Majorcan powerhouse might skip one of the two American hard court tournaments to prepare well for the Clay Court swing. He has said in the past that he will have to re-plan his Calendar for this season and others ahead-Which means he will play less hard court Competitions to protect his knee. Hard Courts ask too much of his knees. Tennis fans all over the World are hopeful that he recaptures his best form to regain his place in the ATP Rankings.
Ohireime P Eboreime
ff me on Twitter @ohiskaka1990
Monday, 18 February 2013
KESHI lives up to his nickname; 'THE BIG BOSS'
The renaming of the Asaba stadium to STEPHEN KESHI was a fantastic decision by Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan. Stepehn Okechukwu Keshi took Nigeria from the doldrums of failure to the pinnacle of Success in 6 weeks. The manner he did it is even more glorious than what Otto Rehhagel achieved with the Greeks. The former Mali and Togo manager proved all the doubters wrong by bringing home a trophy that has eluded the most populous black nation in the World for 19 barren years.
When assembling the Victorious team, he left out so many so-called stellar names like Osaze Odemwingie, Obafemi Martins, Victo Obinna Nsofor, Chinedu Ogbuke, Taye Taiwo, John Utaka, Yakubu Aiyegbeni to mention but a few. People growled, frowned and groaned regarding his stance on players who he deemed surplus to requirement because of their lack of respect, indiscipline, poor form and unpatriotic attributes. Osaze was adamant that he was the right choice for the position of super eagles skipper which was never vacant in the first place. How he wanted to topple Joseph Yobo and Vincent Enyeama was inexplicable. His rudeness, arrogance and disregard for constituted authority simply exemplified his unacceptable behaviour. Keshi made decisions based on what he thought best suited the team. He didn't want a repeat of the Mafia and sects that characterized previous Squads. The 'Boss' Keshi is no Saint...Judging by his antecedents when he was a player and skipper of the old Super Eagles. But his Managerial career has been built on Discipline, Unity and Oneness since it commenced and that has brought him the success he has garnered up till this present day.
His blend of home and foreign based players was seen as experimental to a lot of Nigerians. He paid deaf ears to criticisms, jeers and negative opinions to focus on the job of accomplishing his set objectives. The road to success is very narrow and thorny. The first two matches didn't go well. Consecutive draws v Burkina Faso and defending Champions, Zambia were crushing blows to Stephen's ambitions. But he remained resolute, calm, and goal driven. The final group match v Ethiopia was almost going to end in disappointment until a certain Victor Moses stepped up the gear and made himself an instant hero with two well taken penalties in the last 10 minutes of the game. 2-0 it ended and the Super Eagles were in the Quarters to face Massive favourites, The Ivory Coast. Then the NFF struck.
The Nigeria Football Federation led by Aminu Maigari directed its Secretary, Mr Musa Amadu to book tickets back to base for the Nigerian Contingent before the match v the Ivory Coast. The Boss was furious on getting wind of this information, but decided to lead his boys to go all out v the Ivoriens. At the end of the game, the unfancied Eagles dominated the highly favoured Ivory Coast team in a 2-1 win. Keshi was ecstatic and told former Super Eagles goalie cum Super Sport analyst, Peterside Idah of his dream and objective to hoist the AFCON and afterwards tender his resignation letter. The semi-final was more straightforward. Mali were put to the sword. The 4-1 bashing of the Aigles sent shock waves round the African Continent. In the final, the Burkinabe met with a reinvigorated Nigerian team that couldn't afford to lose. It ended 1-0 Nigeria and the 3rd ANC was sealed in exemplary fashion. KESHI and his CHOICES were VINDICATED!
It wasn't only the Nations Cup win that made Keshi loved. adored and respected. It was his man management, timely substitutions and mastery of the game when it became difficult that stood him out as a man who was well groomed and brilliant. For the first time since the 2005 WYC, Mikel Obi played extremely well much to the admiration of those who disliked him (including me) for his sluggishness and boring play. The Midfielder was at his best at the just concluded Tournament and led the way in passes made and passes completed. It was seen as a huge surprise when Jonathan Pitroipa of Burkina was named Player of the Tournament ahead of Mikel, Moses and Emenike. Perhaps the Technical Study Group of CAF had other ideas. Emmanuel Emenike bore the burden of being the main striker as Ikechukwu Uche failed to show up. The former Getafe Striker was useless and ineffective throughout the Tournament. Sunday Mba, scorer of the winner v CIV and the Championship clinching goal v the Stallions of Burkina Faso,warmed his way into the hearts of Nigerians who sang glory songs with his names after the final whistle was blown.
It was a successful journey for the BIG BOSS who resume is now intimidating. He made do his promise of resigning immediately after the Tourney ended. Nevertheless, after due consultations with Bolaji Abdulahi, the Minister for Sports, he rescinded his decision to resign and then re-signed.
He and the Super Eagles were well received by the Government of Nigeria. National Honours, Lands, and Cash Rewards were among the goodies doled out to the Team after an amazing and successful two weeks of Competition in South Africa which culminated in excitement, merriment and mission accomplished.
Ohireime P Eboreime
ff me on Twitter @ohiskaka1990
When assembling the Victorious team, he left out so many so-called stellar names like Osaze Odemwingie, Obafemi Martins, Victo Obinna Nsofor, Chinedu Ogbuke, Taye Taiwo, John Utaka, Yakubu Aiyegbeni to mention but a few. People growled, frowned and groaned regarding his stance on players who he deemed surplus to requirement because of their lack of respect, indiscipline, poor form and unpatriotic attributes. Osaze was adamant that he was the right choice for the position of super eagles skipper which was never vacant in the first place. How he wanted to topple Joseph Yobo and Vincent Enyeama was inexplicable. His rudeness, arrogance and disregard for constituted authority simply exemplified his unacceptable behaviour. Keshi made decisions based on what he thought best suited the team. He didn't want a repeat of the Mafia and sects that characterized previous Squads. The 'Boss' Keshi is no Saint...Judging by his antecedents when he was a player and skipper of the old Super Eagles. But his Managerial career has been built on Discipline, Unity and Oneness since it commenced and that has brought him the success he has garnered up till this present day.
| BIG BOSS of LIFE...Proof that DISCIPLINE is KEY. |
The Nigeria Football Federation led by Aminu Maigari directed its Secretary, Mr Musa Amadu to book tickets back to base for the Nigerian Contingent before the match v the Ivory Coast. The Boss was furious on getting wind of this information, but decided to lead his boys to go all out v the Ivoriens. At the end of the game, the unfancied Eagles dominated the highly favoured Ivory Coast team in a 2-1 win. Keshi was ecstatic and told former Super Eagles goalie cum Super Sport analyst, Peterside Idah of his dream and objective to hoist the AFCON and afterwards tender his resignation letter. The semi-final was more straightforward. Mali were put to the sword. The 4-1 bashing of the Aigles sent shock waves round the African Continent. In the final, the Burkinabe met with a reinvigorated Nigerian team that couldn't afford to lose. It ended 1-0 Nigeria and the 3rd ANC was sealed in exemplary fashion. KESHI and his CHOICES were VINDICATED!
It wasn't only the Nations Cup win that made Keshi loved. adored and respected. It was his man management, timely substitutions and mastery of the game when it became difficult that stood him out as a man who was well groomed and brilliant. For the first time since the 2005 WYC, Mikel Obi played extremely well much to the admiration of those who disliked him (including me) for his sluggishness and boring play. The Midfielder was at his best at the just concluded Tournament and led the way in passes made and passes completed. It was seen as a huge surprise when Jonathan Pitroipa of Burkina was named Player of the Tournament ahead of Mikel, Moses and Emenike. Perhaps the Technical Study Group of CAF had other ideas. Emmanuel Emenike bore the burden of being the main striker as Ikechukwu Uche failed to show up. The former Getafe Striker was useless and ineffective throughout the Tournament. Sunday Mba, scorer of the winner v CIV and the Championship clinching goal v the Stallions of Burkina Faso,warmed his way into the hearts of Nigerians who sang glory songs with his names after the final whistle was blown.
It was a successful journey for the BIG BOSS who resume is now intimidating. He made do his promise of resigning immediately after the Tourney ended. Nevertheless, after due consultations with Bolaji Abdulahi, the Minister for Sports, he rescinded his decision to resign and then re-signed.
He and the Super Eagles were well received by the Government of Nigeria. National Honours, Lands, and Cash Rewards were among the goodies doled out to the Team after an amazing and successful two weeks of Competition in South Africa which culminated in excitement, merriment and mission accomplished.
Ohireime P Eboreime
ff me on Twitter @ohiskaka1990
Manchester United-Reading PREVIEW
| Double Impact |
Tonight, they come to Old Trafford for a chance to mete out revenge on Manchester United. The fixture at their home turf ended 4-3 in United's favour in match they led 2-0 and played exceptionally well. This is no League game though. It is the FA Cup and represents a chance for Fergie's men to win it for the 1st time in 9 years. The hard luck of always being drawn against EPL teams hasn't daunted the red devils one bit. It has motivated them to excel more than ever before.
The Royals will be full of confidence going into this one. The way they have come from behind to claim vital points in the last couple of weeks has been phenomenal. But they currently lie 18th in the Premier League and will see this as a chance to go further in a cup competition and perhaps have a shot at winning it. With the draw yesterday, a Championship team will feature in the semi-finals of the World's oldest competition. Millwall were drawn against Blackburn in the last eight, so if they progress, there's a great chance they can spring a surprise or two. BMD's side are looking to progress to the Quarter Finals for only the 3rd time ever. However, the hurdle they have to scale is very tough.
| Little Pea needs a game badly. |
As ambitious as McDermott is, he will be aware of the fact that his side will have to employ metaphysical powers tonight if they want to see out the red army. Sir Alex needs another FA CUP and will do everything humanly possible to progress tonight. Hope both teams are up to it.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
MUFC: Lindegaard-Rafa, Vidic, Smalling, Buttner, Anderson, Cleverley, Nani, Young, Rooney, Chicharito
READING: Federici-Kelly, Morrison, Mariappa, Harte, Liegertwood, Kebe, Tabb, McAnuff, Robson-Kanu, Pogrebnyak
Rafa Da Silva won't forget in a hurry what he suffered in the hands of Robson-Kanu and McAnuff in the League Fixture. He was immediately hauled off by the gaffer after some uncharacteristic errors and rash tackles. He has to put in a better display tonight or face the same situation of a few months ago.
Ohireime P. Eboreime
ff me on Twitter @ohiskaka1990
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