Understanding 'bus parking' in football.

Firstly, an unreserved apology to fans of Chelsea football club on my decision to use the picture above. It has absolutely nothing to do with characteristic of their darling club.
The term 'Parking the bus' was coined by then Chelsea and present Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho in 2004 after a Chelsea game against Tottenham Hotspur.

Argentina beaten blue and white by Nigeria's Super Eagles.

For many Nigerians, the nation won the World Cup yesterday after beating Argentina 4 - 2 in an international friendly played in Russia. Those with that mentality have every right to. It was a thing of pride to cheer your nation on to victory against Argentina. The comedy point for me was Iwobi's kolo on Javier Masherano for the last goal of the game. I haven't ceased to wonder what escaped his lips as he humbly accepted the nutmeg. Trust me, something always escape the lips of the collector. In most cases it's ewo! I will ask Masch for confirmation.

Dear Super Eagles, help the mental and physical health of Nigerians.

I know a handful of football crazy Nigerians who have not watched the Super Eagles play over the years. The decision to avoid Eagles' games wasn't taken in isolation. No one tells a woman whose skirts were blown up by the wind in the market place that trousers are an abomination for women. For them, necessary measures were put in place to keep the heart beating and blood flowing the way it should.

Andrea Pirlo, the last of his kind.

I see football as an art. That is why I rank Ronaldinho,  Zidane and Jay Jay Okocha alongside Michelangelo , Da Vinci and Van Gogh. Anyone who does an ordinary thing in an extra ordinary fashion outside of convention is an artist. By the last sentence, I defined Andrea Pirlo. He makes the list.

Bad officiating; killer of African football.

I have played a league match that prior to the game, the centre referee told me to my face that irrespective of what my side play, we will never win the game. I was wide eyed! I had played games where the referee's biased officiating caused my team to loose but the effrontery shown by this particular centre man in telling me that my side will not win the game was entirely new.

With Russia sure, work begins for the Super Eagles.

After the previous qualifiers against Cameroun in Uyo and Yaounde, every enthusiast of the game in Nigeria expected an easier game against Chipolopolo in Uyo. The Super Eagles so out classed the Indomitable Lions that the games were walks in the park. On that note, an easier game was anticipated against the Zambians in Uyo. Nigerians were in for a shocker.

Soulless Eagles clipped by Bafana braves.

The last time I saw football loving Nigerians this confused was after Yakubu Aiegbeni's diabolical miss against South Korea at the South Africa 2010 World Cup. The Nigerian Football community fumed, and rightly so.

Glorious Chelsea!

By January 2017, it was obvious to every practising Thomas in football that Chelsea were EPL Champions in waiting. Michy Bashuayi's lone goal against Westbrom ensured the trophy was delivered at Stamford Bridge in due time and perfect condition.

The Messi vs Cristiano debate: my own conclusion.

Football is an art wrapped in science. An art because the game itself is purely entertainment. Science comes in because statistics throw light on it. If indeed football is an entertainment then footballers can be called artists. Having said this, Ronaldinho, Jay Jay Okocha and Carlos Valderamma come to mind.

Cristiano Ronaldo; man on fire!

Caveat: this article is in no way a means of taking sides in the eternal debate on who is the best footballer in the world between Cristiano and Messi. A chip though; I enjoyed myself watching Zidane and Ronaldinho than I do watching Messi and Cristiano. That is however not taking away the footballing prowess of the latter two. The debate on who is the best between Messi and Ronaldo will never end. It's everlasting. If there is one thing I have learnt in football it is that nothing is new. Messi makes you remember Maradona and Ronaldo readily brings Roberto Baggio to mind.

Five star General N'golo Kanté.

The pint sized French international is a midfielder you can't help but love. With a look like a character from The gods Must Be Crazy, the midfield maestro is every football fan's favourite Chelsea player. Because of his size you may not immediately see him play. You just see his job get done with ease. A closer look will show the man doing the job.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic; king, legend and god.

Talk about a striker who is fully aware of his position, Zlatan comes to mind. His opener against Sunderland exemplifies this. Backing the goal post, he received the ball from Ander Herrera. He held the ball under his feet while using his hand to hold off the defender. He pushed the ball forward towards the central area and curled the ball wickedly into the right corner of the goal post beating Pickford's full stretch. A typical Zlatan goal.