Vincent Enyeama; getting better with age.

   Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, has again been voted French Ligue One footballer of the month for November. The Lille shot stopper who did not concede a goal in top flight football in the French league in November, won the award ahead of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thauvin. Enyeama. He did not concede a single goal in 1062 minutes of football in the French top flight. He equally scooped the award for the previous month of October. 

   The 31 year old Nigerian international and Super Eagles vice captain have been on a high. The player is expected to lead the Super Eagles of Nigeria to the World Cup in Brazil next year. Nigerian coach Stephen Keshi will definitely see this as a morale booster knowing that his number one goalkeeper is in top form at the moment and will be praying his steller form continues. 

   Since taking over the number one spot in the Lille line up, the former Enyimba and Maccabi goal tender have not looked back. Churning out eye catching displays week in week out. Enyeama at 31,joins the league of goalkeepers who defied age to be on top form. Edwin Van da Saar, David Seaman and Andoni Zubizaretta showed the world what they could do despite their ages, and today, Enyeama, Gigi Buffon, Petr Cech, Pepe Reina etc are still on top of their games. 

UEFA Champions League round of 16 draws.

   On the heels of the World Cup draws made some weeks ago, the draws for the round of 16 for the UEFA Champions league have just been concluded.

Manchester City vs Barcelona
Olympiakos vs Manchester United
AC Milan vs Athletico Madrid
Bayern Leverkusen vs PSG
Galatasaray vs Chelsea
Schalke 04 vs Real Madrid
Zenith vs Borussia Dortmund
Arsenal vs Bayern Munich

On paper, the star games are expected to be the games between Man. City and Barcelona, AC Milan and Athletico Madrid, Arsenal and Bayern Munich. Though that singular factor that makes football tick being the unpredictable nature of the game,could sway the other games and make them mouth watering.
   Against popular opinion however, I believe it is not yet uhuru for Barcelona. Manchester City's current form is terrifying. Their attack is simply scary. Therefore I think it will be a straight up battle between City and Barca.  There is equally the Manuel Pellegrini factor. He is an experienced champions league manager having managed Real Madrid and Malaga. Tata Martino on the other hand, is new to the European waters. Though he has made a name for himself in South America, the European ground is a different ball game. Though it must be noted that with the strength of character Tata possesses, Barca can be said to be in safe hands.
Next up is the Arsenal and Bayern Munich game. Arsenal can be said to be on a high, despite their loss to Napoli and the tennis scoreline they were handed by a rampaging Manchester City. Arsenal can boast of the most complete midfield. The arrival of Mesut Ozil being responsible for the overflowing confidence amongst Gooners.  It is pertinent to note here however,that the same action man, Ozil, has so far been found wanting in key up tight games. The games against Manchester United, Napoli and Manchester City being reference points. Arsenal's progression can be strengthened if Ozil turns up against the Bavarians. In my opinion, the most important Arsenal midfielder is Mathieu Flamini. If he remains fit, Arsenal will have a good shot at Bayern. The Bavarians in my humble opinion has the most complete midfield in the world. Their depth is horrifyingly orgasmic. Schweinsteiger, Lahm, Thiago, Shaqiri, Muller, Gotze, Kroos....etc. Note that I did not even mention Ribery and Robben.  That is how deep their team is. However, a dejavu of last year's champions league between both clubs is still fresh in the mind of Gooners and is the point on which their hope is hinged. Football is a craftily beautiful game. Very unpredictable,which is why we all love the game.
   The UEFA Champions league offers football lovers worldwide a hot dish of the beautiful game. Come 2014, the football community await the restart of the champions league,which in itself will serve as a preamble to the biggest sporting event in the world, the FIFA World Cup holding in Brazil.

How David Moyes can better Manchester United.

   Manchester United have so far had a nightmarish season. Since David Moyes took over the reins at United, the club has had a somewhat catastrophic slump.  Currently placed ninth on the EPL table,the club's nightmares continued after Yohan Cabaye helped Newcastle inflict a second successive home defeat,coming on the heels of a rare Old Trafford defeat by Roberto Martinez' Everton. The turn of events in Old Trafford has gotten to the marrows of Old Trafford faithfuls.

People have so often talked about United's deficiency in midfield. But a lot have failed to recognise the defensive frailties. The famed central defensive pairing of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic is no longer effective. Neither of them can play consecutively any more,especially Rio Ferdinand. Because of recent injuries, both have resorted more to making use of their on the ball senses than sheer energy,again,especially Rio Ferdinand. Vidic can be said to still posses the steel he was known for,but like Rio, have lost pace. Moyes should start another central defensive era. Phil Jones is hugely talented in the noted area. But because of his utility nature that sees him deployed to either midfield or right back, his learning process in central defence is impeded. He should be played regularly alongside either Rio or Vidic so he will mature into the role. Evans, currently mister consistent in the central defence role is viewed as his future partner in the heart of United defence. Also, I don't feel Leighton Baines is the correct heir to Patrice Evra. I don't even think United need to go into the market for a left full back. Remembering how difficult it was for Evra to settle into the United squad after his move from Monaco, I can't help but think that Alex Buttner or Fabio Da Silva can be that left full back heir.
As regards the midfield, United need to get the services of a creative midfielder. The thought of Mr. Consistent, Michael Carrick and Lallana, Marco Reus or even an Ilkay Gundogan in the heart of United midfield is purely orgasmic.  This way, Rooney and Van Persie will concentrate on their roles. Manchester United equally need to sort out the issue of Wayne Rooney's contract which runs out summer of 2015. With Wayne's current form, United should offer him a new contract. Allowing him go is something they shouldn't want to do. Like the sale of Van Persie to them by Arsenal, it will be like selling your most potent gun to your rival. Worthy of note is the issue of panic buy. Moyes should not allow himself to be coerced into panic buying. Fellaini, a summer panic buy is a typical example of what panic buying can cause in a team. Marouane Fellaini will come good some time. Not just yet.
Manchester United will most definitely do away with unwanted players. Without naming names, there are some players, especially in the midfield who won't feature prominently for United again. This way, space will be opened up for new arrivals and better use of current employees. United fans may not agree with me on my next point but it is just my humble opinion. Shinji Kagawa. In my humble opinion, Kagawa can be better used by Moyes. Either playing in the hole or drifting in from the flank but not functioning as a winger. When I see United play without sleekness and Kagawa is on the bench or even in the stands,I weep. Not even the legendary Sir Alex can convince me that Kagawa doesn't have the what it takes to flourish in the EPL. If players like David Silva, Kanu Nwankwo, David De Gea, Oscar and co could adapt to the requirements of the EPL, then Shinji can. He needs to be handed games. A lot of it. Constant games will build his confidence.
   In my opinion, United cannot win the league this season. A point i opined at the beginning of the present season. They are a club in transition. Moyes should be afforded the rare luxury of time. If at the end of the season he qualifies for the champions league or even the Europa Cup, United faithfuls should be grateful. For a club used to playing and challenging for top honours every season for the past twenty plus years, I am sure the present feeling in the United camp is very strange. The team should sort out what has to be sorted out and next season or the season after, they might have their darling Manchester United on the roll again.

World Cup draws concluded.

   The football community shifted their focus away from the various leagues,the world over and centred on Brazil. It wasn't just because of the World Cup to be hosted next year in the South American country but because of the World Cup draws holding in the centre of the amazons. As usual, the ceremony was full of pomp and pageantry characteristic of FIFA organised ceremonies. With old time footballers, administrators and officials in attendance, the draws were held.
GROUP A: Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroun.
GROUP B: Spain, Holland, Chile, Australia.
GROUP C: Colombia, Greece, Cote d'Ivore, Japan
GROUP D: Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy.
GROUP E: Swtzerland, Ecuador, France, Honduras.
GROUP F: Argentina, Bosnia, Iran, Nigeria.
GROUP G: Germany, Portugal, Ghana, USA.
GROUP H; Belgium, Algeria, Russia, Korea.

   Before the draws, FIFA and the Brasilia Football Federation have tried to allay fears of unpreparedness on the part of the hosts as issues of stadium collapse came up. This is also coming at the heels of a nationwide protests in Brazil against the hosting of the World Cup amidst gross economic imbalance in the country. A fact the Brazilian government have always swept under the carpet.
   Another issue that trailed the draws was that of the parameter used by FIFA in seeding teams, which saw Switzerland emerge above supposed superiors. Many argued that the Swiss,under Ottmer Hitzfield, have been very conservative in their execution of especially friendly games. An approach that saw them emerge a seeded team. A country like Italy,for instance, played more games this calender year than the Swiss and the parameter on ground went against them. FIFA rankings have generated many issues in the past as people don't trust the rankings. It is viewed by majority as baseless or I dare say,biased. Though with no evidence to the latter.
   Despite the controversy, the draws have been made. The entire world look forward to the biggest sporting event,come June,2015. Brazil,famed for its enticing beaches, beautiful women, very high football pedigree and a warm, welcoming culture will sure open its doors to the world as they converge for the festival. The Samba country can't wait to roll out the samba.