Photo of the day: Oh No! Not a good day for Diego Maradona

Aww! Poor Maradona!

"I may leave tomorrow. I'll have to think carefully about it and talk with my family and the players. There are many issues here," he said after their loss to Germany in a 4 - 0 encounter today.

Not even World-Class Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain could deliver Argentina fron the painful defeat they suffered from the Germans on the pitch.

Maradona was left dejected by the failure of his team.
Like he said earlier before the match... he wished he was right there on the pitch playing with them.

Cruel exit for the Blackstars; Africa's last team standing!

Ghana's Asamoah Gyan is hidden by celebrating teammates after he scored their side's second goal.

The Black Stars came as close as a team could come to doing what no other African nation has ever done. But they will not be going to the semifinals of the biggest tournament in the world’s most popular sport.

Star striker Asamoah Gyan missed a penalty kick at the tail end of the second extra time period and Ghana lost on penalty kicks.

This was a real painful exit believe me, just a little mistake can cost a lot.

Match Facts:
Ghana could not convert key penalties - in the last minute of extra time or in the penalty shootout - to win the Ghana vs Uruguay game. Uruguay's La Celeste advances to the semifinal with the Netherlands.

Uruguay

1 (4)

:

1 (2)

Ghana

Dutch beats Brazil to reach Semi final

The Netherlands celebrate!

The Netherlands came from behind to beat 10-man Brazil 2-1 in the first World Cup quarter-final at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth.

Pity!
Point is The Brazilians ain't winning the cup this time! Dunga...SORRY!

President Goodluck suspends Super Eagles for 2 years

Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday banned the country’s football team from international competition for two years following their dismal showing at the World Cup, his office said.

“President Goodluck Jonathan has directed that Nigeria withdraws from international competition for two years to enable the country to put its house in order,” spokesman Ima Niboro told reporters after a weekly cabinet meeting.

Nigeria finished bottom of their group in South Africa with just one point from three matches.

They lost to Argentina and Greece and drew with South Korea.

Rotimi Amaechi, governor of a key oil-producing state, Rivers, who heads a special presidential task force on the World Cup campaign, said Nigeria would write to football’s world governing body FIFA to explain its decision.

“We went to the World Cup and found all sorts of problems and we felt we should sit back and look inward,” said Amaechi.

Jonathan also ordered an audit into how the funds allocated for the team at the World Cup were used.

What's your take on this?

Yobo assures victory as the Super Eagles battles South Korea today

The Super Eagles

"On Tuesday, everyone is ready to fight and die for the color of the country," said the Everton defender.
"We now have a possible mission towards the next round.
"When we walked off that pitch against Greece, we thought it was all over but now there is a second chance for us.
"Many people insist it will be impossible but we have been written off several times during the qualifiers, yet we made it."

The Super Eagles so far:

They lost 0-1 to Argentina and 1-2 to 2004 European Champion, Greece.
Though no team in The World Cup history has ever lost more than one group stage game and gone on to reach the next round,

A single-goal victory in the team’s final match against South Korea and even a single-goal loss for Greece against the table-topping Argentina would see Nigeria through on goal difference.

We wish them the very best today...

Photo of the day: What could Maradona possibly be up to here?

Lol!

Faces of Stars at The Lakers Game in Los Angeles, California

The Lakers Celebrate their 16th NBA Title last night in Los Angeles


Brandy at the Lakers game in Los Angeles

Toni Braxton at the Lakers game in Los Angeles

Usher greets fans on the court during halftime at Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California.

Why all the fuss about VUVUZELAS?

**Having a good laugh**

Everyone seem to be complaining about the irritating Sound/Noise (Wareva!!!) the South African's VUVUZELAS make...heehee!

To be candid I frowned at it initially but hey...who cares about The VUVUZELAS now?
Abeg make una play FOOTBALL!!! Yayy!!!

**wink*wink**

A Naija dude doing justice to The Vuvuzela (They all better blow away the South Koreans come the 22nd else...)

We will win for KAITA: Super Eagles

Sani Kaita has received the backing of his team mates, who have promised to beat South Korea for him, to ensure that he gets a chance to redeem himself at this World Cup.

Kaita is suffering a storm of harsh media backlash following his expulsion against Greece on Thursday.

That sending off had fatal consequences for the Super Eagles, as they not only surrendered their one goal lead, but also conceded a second that handed victory to the Greeks.

The team held a meeting at lunchtime on Friday, where Kaita apologised to the rest of the squad for letting them down and asked for forgiveness.

He was given hugs by everyone as the team told him to look past it, and promised him that they would win for him.

Captain Joseph Yobo said: "He is a young footballer who will learn from mistakes like this.

"He's been a solid performer for this team in recent years. It was a mistake, an expensive one but we only have to fight now for what is left to salvage here."

And goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, who once again emerged as the man of the match, said: "Kaita is still a reliable player and should not be left to suffer from this.

"Stuff like that happen sometimes. If you saw him in training and watched him in the World Cup you would see why I still think he should be forgiven."

Nigeria's Kalu Uche, who got his country in front also said: "We all felt let down on the pitch but once we walked off it, he was in our thoughts.

"No-one is blaming him for anything. He has been a magnificent player for his country and his die-hard performances have earned us success in the past, he will return a better man."

Nigeria face South Korea on Tuesday in Durban, needing a win to progress, provided Argentina beat Greece.

World Cup 2010 - Parents name baby girl 'FIFA'

OMG!
I think this is ridiculous...

South African parents are celebrating the World Cup by giving their newborn babies unique names.

One baby girl was named 'FIFA' (all in capitals) after the sport's governing body, while another was called 'Ke Nako', a World Cup slogan that means 'it is time'.

FIFA Ntshinga was born at Rahima Moosa Hospital in Johannesburg, while baby boy Ke Nako was born to teenage mother Busiswa Landiso and her 21-year-old boyfriend Samuel Ntshiwa, who both are from Bloemfontein.

Another couple in Bloemfontein had twin boys during the opening match between South Africa and Mexico and decided to name their kids after the two teams playing.

Bafana (South Africa's nickname is Bafana-Bafana) and Mexico Venter were born during the 1-1 draw at Soccer City.

Their new dad, Charl (29) said: ''I'm giving them those names as a token of my willingness to know more about the game.

"My wife, Riana (26), and I knew in December that we would have twins but for them to be born on this day was a wonderful surprise."

Sassy's Opinion: I hope these babies would be Great Footballers when they grow up...rofl!

Photo of the day: Weep Not Enyeama!

Nigeria's goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama (right) crying after the Super Eagles lost 1-2 to Greece during the Group B first round 2010 World Cup football match in South Africa yesterday.

Awww!!! No doubt he is the man of the match!
He did all he could... but can he actually do it all alone?

Well... our next match with South Korea and some other Mathematical miracles will tell...as loads of COMBINATION and PERMUTATION is going on right now.
Fact is, we have to win our next match else our Eagles will be coming back home ...*sob*

We still wish them all the best though...
Abi werrin man pikin wan do? lol....x

This is weird!

Commercial sex workers in South Africa have complained about soccer fans at the on going world cup, whom they say are yet to meet their expectation.

According to the 'ladies of the night', they are yet to feel the presence of football fans who are at the world cup, since they are not patronizing their services as expected. To them, 'the soccer fans should not only see the world cup, but feel it as well.'

They explained that the soccer fans from the various countries do not take delight in socializing, which has really affected their activities and sales.

To them, the world cup is not about just watching football matches and sleeping in your hotels.

Supporters from countries like Ghana, for instance, spend most of their time at the stadium when the Black Stars is playing, and then at their Muzinda Residence, where they watch other matches on giant screen, amidst good music to dance to, with all sorts of drinks and indoor games available.

NIGERIA VS ARGENTINA

Who say we no try reach?
Oh yeah... we did try!lol

Even after a rather shaky first half and a goal in favor of Argentina scored by Gabriel Heinze due to our intial weak defense, the Super Eagles have proved all critics wrong!
Though they had no goal to their name, they came all out at the second half with more confidence and did all they could.

Personally, I think this is a good start.
And with more pulled in effort, they are likely to go all the way to do well in South Africa.

Hear Enyeama after the match...
“We’re not going to kill ourselves. We have two more games to play.” Enyeama said. “We thank God the score was a little encouraging.”

My thought? I think he is just right!

All About South Africa 2010

The world is abuzz with news about the FIFA World Cup 2010 that is to be held in South Africa. The first match will be played tomorrow, June 11, with the host’s SOuth Africa taking on an experienced Mexican team.

According to estimates more than 400,000 international visitors will make their way in to the African nation this month to join in the festivities of the world cup. More than a million fans from the African countries will also make it to the country for the historic event.
The government has spent more than R 40 million (40 million rand) to develop the public transport infrastructure in the country. With 64 matches being held during the world cup there will be lots of travelling to do for all sports fans. 10 stadiums in different areas of the country will be the bustling hub of activity and to make sure people make it there on time there will be transportation and security available throughout according to reports.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup will be the 19th FIFA World Cup, the premier international football tournament. It is scheduled to take place between 11 June and 11 July 2010 in South Africa. The 2010 FIFA World Cup will be the culmination of a qualification process that began in August 2007 and involved 204 of the 208 FIFA national team.
As such, it matches the 2008 Summer Olynpics as the sports event with the most competing nations.

This will be the first time that the tournament has been hosted by an African nation, after South Africa defeated Morocco and Egypt in an all-African bidding process. This decision left the Oceania Football Confederation as the only confederation yet to host the FIFA World Cup. Italy are the defending champions, after winning the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. The draw for the finals took place on 4 December 2009 in Cape Town.

Wande Coal wins Best African Act at GMA

The release of the super hit album; "From Mushin to Mohits" has no doubt set the feet of Mo'Hits star Wande Coal on the glorious path of unending fame.

Wande Coal beats off acts like J'ozi (South African group artist) as he carted home the award for "Best African Act" in the just concluded Ghana Music Award last weekend.

A well accolade ST would say.
Congratulations to Wande Coal..

The Most Decorated African Footballer of All Time

Nwankwo Kanu, popularly known as Papilo is the most highly-decorated African footballer in Africa’s footballing history, having won a UEFA Champions League medal, a UEFA Cup medal, three FA Cup Winners Medals and two African Player of the Year awards amongst others. He is the only current Premier League player to have won the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup, Premier League, FA Cup and an Olympic Gold Medal, making his name the answer to many football trivia questions.

Kanu began his career, aged fifteen, at First Division club Federation Works before moving to Iwuanyanwu Nationale in 1992. After a notable performance at the U-17 World Championships he was signed by Ajax Amsterdam in 1993 for €207,047. He made his Ajax debut in 1994 and went on to play 54 times for the Dutch side, scoring 25 goals; Kanu came on as a sub in Ajax's 1995 Champions League final win over AC Milan. In 1996, Ajax sold him to Serie A side Internazionale for around $4.7 million; that summer he captained the Nigerian team that won gold at the Olympics, famously scoring two late goals in the semi-finals against powerhouses Brazil to overturn a 2-3 scoreline into a 4-3 win in extra time. Kanu was also named African Footballer of the Year for that year.

However, soon after returning from the Olympics, Kanu underwent a medical examination at Inter, which revealed a serious heart defect; he underwent surgery in November 1996 to replace an aortic valve and did not return to his club until April 1997. In interviews, Kanu frequently cites his faith as a Christian, and has often mentioned this trying time of his career as an occasion when he prayed to God. Kanu's experience also led to his founding the Kanu Heart Foundation, an organisation that helps predominantly young African children who suffer heart defects. Kanu is known throughout Africa for his philanthropic work.

Kanu has been a member of the Nigerian national team since 1994, making his debut against Sweden in a friendly. He (as of March 2008) has 68 caps and has scored 13 goals for his country. As well as winning the Olympics gold in the football event at Atlanta (1996), Kanu participated in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups. Earlier on at the start of his career, Kanu was instrumental in Nigeria's overall success at the FIFA U-17 tournament in Japan (1993) and in their subsequent 2-1 victory over Ghana in the final.
He is the current captain of the Nigerian national team.

(African Voices)

ST