No World Cup Party for Samir Nasri.

   Having had a very fantastic season with Manchester City, Samir Nasri was expected to be at the fore front of Le Blue's world cup campaign this summer. The attacking midfielder shone like a million stars for the Sheik Mansour team as they lifted the EPL trophy. That was not to be, as France manager, Didier Deschamps had other plans.
   By the time Samir Nasri broke into the French national team, he was seen as a future of the team. His contemporaries, Hartem Ben Arfa and Karim Benzema were a part of the fold too. Ben Arfa,however, failed to live up to the billing as series of disciplinary issues came up against him, time and time again. However, same disciplinary issues have not failed to trail Nasri too. The former Marseille and Arsenal man also have a catalogue of cases against him. In November 2008, during the French team's camping exercise for the European tournament, he was involved in a bust up with William Gallas. In his biography, Gallas alleged a disruptive influence in the team. Though he named no name,observers felt the unnamed man to be Nasri. During his days in Arsenal, he one day sat on Thierry Henry's seat on the bus and refused to stand. An action viewed by many as disrespectful. One,I attach very little to. He wasn't picked for the 2010 world cup in South Africa by Raymond Domenech. By the time Laurent Blanc took over, he extended an olive branch to him, and called him back. A gesture not extended to Jeremy Toulalan. Himself, the most consistent french midfielder. During Euro 2012,he was embroiled in a verbal fracas with journalists. After that period he continued playing for France. It is alleged that during the world cup play offs, he was inside another mist of problems. I guess that was the height of it for Didier Deschamps.
   Several players will not be on the pitch in Brazil. Isco will be out for Spain. Kaka and Robinho out for Brazil. Gael Clichy out for France. Ike Uche out for Nigeria. Nasri isnt the only one dropped. But of all,he is the one that had the most outstanding season. Noteworthy is the fact that David Ginola and Eric Cantona were dropped for the France '98 World Cup squad for disciplinary reasons. What followed is now history. The truth is that the manager is the supremo of a team. If he feels a certain player will be a disruptive influence in his team then he drops him. This is because when such a player is still taken along and an issue arises from him directly, the manager will be the one to take the heat. Reference should not be made to Wayne Rooney and how Sir Alex Ferguson successfully moulded him because that was club level of football. In that level of the game, a player has many months at his disposal to make amends for acts of indiscipline or mistakes. This is the world cup. It wraps up under one month. One incident is enough to wreck a team's chances. Ask France. 2010 world cup in South Africa is one French faithfuls will want to forget in a hurry.
   I therefore think that Didier Deschamps should be left to live with the consequence of his action. Every coach wants discipline and commitment in his team. That is why they won't hesitate to drop any player they feel will be a bad influence in the team. Though I am one of the few that want to see Nasri line out for the Blues and Ike Uche for Nigeria, it's a decision for the coach. He lives with the consequence. Good or bad.

Manchester City; worthy EPL Champions.

Football,as was said and confirmed over the years,is about the best thing that happened to mankind.
 The three factors that make football the beauty it is; drama, statistics and history were in the front running of things during the recently concluded BPL season. From the beginning,a lot was expected. At the end, the season didn't disappoint. With Fullham, Cardiff and Norwich City relegated, next season promises the usual excitement that comes with the English Premier league.  The highlight of the season has to be Steven Gerrard's infamous slip against Chelsea that gifted Chelsea her first goal in the game and eventually, put Manchester City in the driving seat for the trophy. Manchester United in her first season of the post Ferguson era were hugely disappointing as the stars failed to shine. A season that for them,culminated in the eventual sacking of Mr. David Moyes from the managerial reigns at Old Trafford. Arsenal's failure to recruit a lethal striker in both windows saw their title hopes fizzle off despite being top of the pile for most of the season. Chelsea? Mourinho himself blew it. Realistically speaking, the sale of Juan Mata which seemed a good decision at the beginning, didnt end like that as Oscar,the preferred,lost form acutely and failed to shine. Liverpool,though with a rampaging attacking duo of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, failed to make goals count even as their defensive deficiencies kept showing up, game after game. With City's recruitment of Alvaro Negredo, who offered depth to an already devilish striking force of Kun Aguero and Edin Dzeko, their was no way in Jupiter Manuel Pellegrini wasn't going to make an impact in his first season in the English Premier League. Yaya Toure, arguably the best midfielder in the world, apologies to FIFA ratings,ensured City remained on course. For their fans,it was a beautiful season.  With David Silva and co, Yaya ran the show, and with such beautiful melody. For football fans, it's the end of a glittering season. City indeed are worthy champions of the English league. No doubt.
 As the football community await the wraps in other European leagues, the champions league final comes to mind. Then the mother of them all;the FIFA World Cup! Football fans live by the day. Knowing fully that a ceremony beckons,all the way from Brazil. We can't wait. It's simple; we all love football.

How Monsieur Wenger lost the plot.

As at November 2013, Gooners the world over were already celebrating the Barclays Premier League victory. I have a lot of them as very close friends. I reminded them of the word, dejavu. That if certain steps are not taken, the victory they so clamour for will zoom past them like a Ferrari on a nylon tarred road. For nine horrible years, Arsenal and her fans have had to endure an agonising trophy drought. Since the era of the Arsenal invincibles, Gooners can't actually say what a trophy looks like. It has been we - nearly - won syndrome. This is despite having one of the best managers in the game. A revolutionary manager. The Strasbourg born tactician is on the black book of Arsenal fans. They no longer care to know how beautifully Arsenal is playing or how much money Wenger makes for Arsenal. Rightly so,they want trophies.
   As at November/ December 2013 and even early 2014, Arsenal was top of the English Premier League. Thanks to the fracas in Old Trafford caused by his contemporary, David Moyes, the Scot who took over from the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson. Wenger doled out uncharacteristic cash for Mesut Ozil. This singular action seemed to restore the faith of Arsenal players and and fans alike. They believed their time had finally come. Truth be told,the team clicked. But a Mourinho and Brendan Rodgers led Chelsea and Liverpool respectively and a player quality rich Manchester City kept to their tail and sniffed along. Something was clear. Arsenal was top of the pile. Another thing was clear, Arsenal needed a world class striker. At least one. Preferably two. I mentioned severally that if Arsenal were to remain top of the league by end of March 2014, they will win the EPL. What was however screamed in silence was that it wouldn't probably happen unless Wenger break the bank for a Suarez or Rooney like kind of striker. One not goal shy. Not afraid to break a bone or two. Arsenal hoped to sign Rooney who was unsettled at a point. But for Wenger's insulting pea pricing of Rooney, who knows,maybe the 'white Pele' would have switched Old Trafford for the Emirates. By January window, every realist expected Wenger to buy a quality striker. He brought in someone. Who? Suarez? Ronaldo? Aguero? Ike Uche? No! He brought in Kim Kardashian. I beg your pardon, Kim Kallstrom. Yes. Kallstrom! Jeeeeeez! That was a real shocker but It was for real. Monsieur Wenger brought in the thirty one year old Swedish midfielder on loan from Spartak Moscow. By the end of the transfer window and no striker came in, Arsenal lost the title. Yes. They lost the title on January 31st 2104. Piers Morgan, a realistic celebrity Arsenal fan knew this and didn't spare him.
Another truth; NO team could have won the 2013/2014 EPL with a strike force of Oliver Giroud and Yaya Sanogo. Even fifteen more Ozils cannot help such a team. Arsenal boast of a deep midfield. But nonchalant displays like the one on show yesterday against Everton at Goodison Park where they were white washed by the Martinez tutored boys 3 - 0 is their greatest undoing. Goals from Naismith, Lukaku and an own goal from the former Everton man himself, Mikel Areta were enough to do the damage. Everton is presently one point shy of Arsenal and still have a game at hand. As it is stands, either Arsenal or Everton can be the fourth team to qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League. They still have the FA cup to contest for though.
   Arsenal not buying a quality striker in the January transfer window dashed their hopes of the EPL title...again. 571635079cb4721a3476be19da2452291c14bb659a33962438

Fracas in Old Trafford.

   Old Trafford faithfuls have scratched off every strand of hair on their bodies due to frustration. Since the electric Sir Alex Ferguson left, things have not been the same for fans of the club,home and abroad. And rightly so, too. Things have gone from bad to worse in the last couple of months. The team languishes in 7th position; an unfamiliar situation. The team keeps loosing at home to otherwise considered minnows. This is however ongoing even as the club keeps signing endorsement deals, which is not what the fans want to hear. They want results. On field results. Not endorsement deals.
How did the club get to this position?
   Towards the end of last season, Sir Alex Ferguson announced that he will retire at the end of the season. An announcement that shook club faithfuls to the marrows. The United dugout without Sir Alex was simply unimaginable. People had become so used to seeing the gum chewing legendary tactician in the dugouts that his absence was simply unthinkable. Thoughts and arguments began to arise as to who will eventually take over from the clever Scot. Jose Mourinho was mooted. But considering Mourinho's normadic nature and his always frosty relationship with other clubs, realistic fans knew Mourinho wouldn't be a viable option. Every member of the Red Army wanted Pep Guardiola, the erstwhile Barcelona gaffer, but he had earlier signed a contract to lead Bayern Munich. Fergie and the Manchester United board were never going to be short of options. A few pundits noted the fact that Fergie's shoe was going to be inches too big for whoever was eventually chosen. Eventually, Fergie and the United board settled for David Moyes, Everton boss. It was never going to be easy for him.
   United started the season on a sour note. Loosing matches they will ordinarily have won. Throwing away valuable points. Old Trafford, which used to be a fortress for United became a promo ground for visiting clubs. Ironically, David Moyes' former club, Everton, was doing better than United. Fans became uneasy. But Moyes had and still have one thing going for him; he was chosen by Sir Alex, who appealed to fans before he left to stick to their new manager irrespective of results. That he will eventually get it right. That singular appeal by the perceived legend settled a lot of nerves. David Moyes is however lucky that he is in a team like Manchester United. In another club he would have received d boots. However, the Scot shouldn't ride his luck for longer than considered necessary. There are some things he can do to better the lot of United.
   He should stamp his own game in United. The team has until recently, been playing the Sir Alex Ferguson way. He should bring in his own key players. Stamp his game and authority in the team. Players like Alex Buttner, Tom Cleverly, the now discarded Anderson, The highly inconsistent Nani and Chris Smalling are some players fans don't feel are worthy of a United shirt. Also, some of the older players should make way for either the younger ones or incoming ones. Rio, Vida, Giggs and Evra should be eased out. Most of all, Moyes should disabuse his mind of the Everton mentality. He should realize he is now in Manchester United. One of the biggest in the world. Not Everton. He should  equally convince his core players that he is capable of leading the team. Rooney's contract should be sorted out and Van Persie's mind settled. He should go about United his own way. I honestly didn't expect him to do well with United this season. Though I didn't expect the school boy errors he makes with his selections and tactics sometimes. That said I expect Moyes to come good next season. Get better or even to his best by upper season. Only time shall tell if he remains at the helm of affairs in Carrington in the next couple of years. Otherwise, presently, there is fracas in Old Trafford.

FIFA Ballon d'Or. Echoes and opinion.

   Once again, the FIFA ballon d'or have come and gone. Ending months of speculations on who takes what home. The media and football community had been in a frenzy in the last couple of months over the awards. FIFA,one of the largest generators of available funds once again rolled out a legendary ceremony.
   The arguments had been rife. It was really an enjoyable period for football lovers. Arguments and banter over the print and electronic media. Street corners were not spared of the unending arguments. It raged on and on. But all that was laid to rest when FIFA crowned the Real Madrid and Portugal talismanic player,Cristiano Ronaldo, the best player on the planet for 2013. He beat of competition from Barcelona's greatest, Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery.
   Under the original Ballon d'Or which was determined by journalists, Franck Ribery would have won the title as he polled 80 of the journalist votes. Miles ahead of what Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi came up with. But that wasn't to be as there had been a marriage of convenience in 2009 where the organisers of the award agreed to a merger with FIFA to align the award into a single one. A merger someone like me loathes with a passion. I have in recent times, ceased to be a fan of the award. This is because I believe it has become more of a popularity contest than what it should be. I believe the criteria for the award is wrong. I believe that since football is a team sport,the award should be made to be based on that singular factor and not the popularity contest it has since become. Topic for another day though. In 2010, Wesley Sneijder had a fantastic season with Inter Milan,horning a treble. While the journalist section voted him the best,the FIFA criteria ensured Lionel Messi won it. I have no confidence in the Sepp Blatter led FIFA. Same confidence I don't have in the present Alhaji Issa Hayatou led CAF. Or even worse. Their inconsistencies, horrible decisions and sit - tight attitude being hugely responsible. But because of the love for the game,we can never abandon football.
  Zlatan Ibrahimovic deservedly won the Puskas award for his goal against England. That goal still spreads a smile on the faces of those that saw it real time. A stunning beauty of a goal!
To the mother of them. FIFPRO eleven. I know it is voted for by footballers themselves. But we all remember vividly when Mario Balotelli claimed he hadn't heard of Jack Wilshere and Nicklas Bendtner claimed he didn't know Andre Arshavin until he signed for Arsenal. Does that mean we know footballers more than the footballers themselves? Because that is what it seems like,based on this FIFPRO crap. One may want to ask what Dani Alves is doing on the list? Alves? Lahm should have easily been slotted into the right full back position and David Alaba into the left full back. And Alves duly returned to Barcelona. Yaya Toure is my first pick for any midfield. Beast of a player! He commands the midfield with ease. Also, Ilkay Gundogan ran the Dortmund midfield very effectively while Schweinsteiger ran the Bayern midfield like a General. These are worthy mentions. Xavi and Iniesta,fantastic players any day,made the list on reputation. Also,Sergio Ramos was not even Real Madrid's best defender last term. Dortmund's Subotic or Bayern's Dante should have had that spot. My opinion.
   That said,apart from the outlined decisions, the ceremony itself was a beauty. The general organisation is laudable. The organisers deserve an award themselves. The gala makes a huge mockery of what is obtainable in Africa where the CAF organised Glo CAF awards is more of a comedy.
   We continue into the year with the belief of a beautiful season. Football leagues beckon and somewhere in the year, the always magnificent FIFA World Cup is lurking! Orgasmic!!

Glo CAF Awards; matters arising.

   The host city was Lagos. A large metropolitan city. The most bubbling city in Africa. The amount of human and vehicular traffic in Lagos is simply mind blowing. When Nigeria was slated to host the awards for this year, followers of the game in Africa predicted the host city to be Lagos.
   CAF, considered a notorious ring by most Nigerians,owing to the decision by the Alhaji Issa Hayatou led CAF to award Samuel Eto'o Africa's best over Nigeria's Jay Jay Okocha remains fresh in the mind of most Nigerian football followers. A decision considered as daft by most. Not knowing that the hypocritical CAF will show their colours again this year. The rate at which the football community keep loosing confidence in FIFA and CAF is on a steady. Reasons being the sit tight approach by the Presidents of the associations and ridiculous decisions taken by them at various points.
   The general organisation of the event begs questions. Personally,I switched on to the Super sports channel broadcasting the event only to switch back to my very captivating 'Arrow' series I had been watching for some days.
Yaya Toure is in my opinion,the best footballer in Africa. His commanding presence on the field is simply a delight. His strength, insight, awareness,ball usage and passing ability is just a beauty to behold. To the vast majority,it was going to be a straight battle between Yaya Toure and Nigeria's John Obi Mikel. The Chelsea holding midfielder had a marvelous 2013. From the AFCON victory where he shone like a million stars,to his Chelsea EUROPA Cup exploits and then his commanding presence for the Super Eagles at the FIFA Confeds, the player was considered a contender. For inexplicable reasons, a lot didn't reckon with Didier Drogba to win the CAF POTY. Himself,a past winner, the former Chelsea hit man who now ply his trade in Turkey was least expected to win it. I remember a certain year, it was a straight one between Jay Jay Okocha and Samuel Eto'o. The Camerounian striker won the award,even though Okocha was the favourite. A reason was cited by CAF apologists; Eto'o won trophies and Jay Jay did not. Okay. We took it,not with a pinch of salt but with a trailer load of it. Yesterday,based on Chelsea's exploits and Nigeria's AFCON victory,Mikel was expected to scoop the award. But as usual,hypocritical CAF showed up again. This time the mooted reason was that Yaya is 'a better player'. A statement that is very true. Yaya is a better all round player. Mikel won trophies. CAF lies! I don't have a problem with the choice of the excellent Ivorian as the winner. What I hate is CAF's two facedness. It's simply annoying. Create a standard and follow it to the latter. Simple.
   Mohamed Aboutrika deservedly won the Africa based best player. The Egyptian play maker who had just retired from football beat Sunday Mba to the award. Kelechi Iheanacho won the best promising player category. He is a player that is expected to grace the game to the highest level. It must be said however that the saga involving himself, father and agent hasn't helped his career. Stephen Keshi won the best coach award too. In all,what we applaud in the award ceremony is the initiative itself.
I seriously begrudge CAF on the criteria. The association should outline criteria and stick to it and not waver like cloth hung to dry.
That said, Yaya Toure is the best player in Africa. The continent does not have another player in his mould. He deserves the award he won to the disappointment of people who follow CAF and her policies. I doubt if CAF and FIFA will ever get things right. Their inconsistencies is a modern day myth.
   Congratulations, Yaya Toure, Stephen Keshi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Mohamed Aboutrika and other recipients of the award. We revel in the beauty of the game while awaiting repentance of football governing bodies. Repentance some people still hope to see. But one,that with the present crop of administrators, I have ruled out. Completely

Football Groove Year,2014.

   We thank God for the football filled 2013. From the various leagues around the world, to the African Cup Of Nations,to the UEFA tournaments, FIFA Confederations Cup etc. Countries like Nigeria and Brazil had a beautiful 2013 owing to AFCON and Confed victories respectively. While clubs like Bayern Munich, Al Ahly, Kano Pillars etc had a fantastic year. Indeed, the God of soccer was at the very best,an ever soothing presence in the lives of the down trodden and massively oppressed citizens of the World who use football as an escape from realities.
   2014 was approached by football lovers with smiles as it promises to be a beautiful year in their lives. The German, Italian and Spanish leagues are expected to resume after the New year celebrations, the UEFA Champions league kicks off from the knock out stages, the CHAN Championship kicks off and the EPL continues. Further down the year, the mother of them all, the FIFA World Cup kicks off in Brazil. Undoubtedly the biggest football fiesta in the world,the FIFA World Cup is expected to be full of pomp and pageantry. In addition to the football artistry itself, Brazil is every travellers choice destination. Therefore, the long and beautiful beaches are expected to be besieged by tourists. Aside football, the samba country is known for her wonderfully created female folks with their particularly famous Brazilian hairs. I guess all these will in one way or the other form part of the tourist attractions on show by the Amazon country.
   God has through football, made a way for the masses. In the face of abject poverty, football puts smile on their faces. Though it is a game loved by every class,the passionate ones are mostly found within the middle and lower classes, as the nouveau rich and maliciously corrupt political class are busy hatching evil oppressive plans. We all look forward to a football laden year. A place in the stands in Brazil will not be out of place for some of us.
In every corner of the world, football fanatics (like me) are rubbing their palms together in glee,praying for a beautiful 2014 as the games lined up are just too mouth watering. It's simple; we all love football.