First of all fantasy football is a game in which participants assemble an imaginary team of real life players and score points based on those players' actual statistical performance or their perceived contribution on the field of play. Usually players are selected from one specific division in a particular country, although there are many variations.
It has evolved in recent years from a simple recreational activity into a significant business due to exposure via the internet.
This funny video says all there is to know about Choosing the right players.
For full Information visit African Football Fantasy
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Greg Etafia escapes as Eagles stoned
South Africa-based duo Greg Etafia and Idah Peterside narrowly escaped serious head injuries when the Super Eagles bus was stoned by angry fans after what has been generally seen another unconvincing performance.
The Super Eagles eked out a barely-deserved 1-0 win over Mozambique with a goal deep in stoppage time by Obinna Nsofor.
The team were booed from start to finish, but the fans did not stop there, and showed their frustrations by lying in wait for the team and hurling missiles at the brand new team bus.
Both men were sitting together in the bus and one of the missiles smashed the glass.
Etafia, who had the window seat, was rescued from the incoming projectile by the blinds, while Idah, on the aisle seat, had his quick reactions to thank for getting out of the way of flying shards.
The Super Eagles eked out a barely-deserved 1-0 win over Mozambique with a goal deep in stoppage time by Obinna Nsofor.
The team were booed from start to finish, but the fans did not stop there, and showed their frustrations by lying in wait for the team and hurling missiles at the brand new team bus.
Both men were sitting together in the bus and one of the missiles smashed the glass.
Etafia, who had the window seat, was rescued from the incoming projectile by the blinds, while Idah, on the aisle seat, had his quick reactions to thank for getting out of the way of flying shards.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Nigeria 1-0 Mozambique
Obinna Nsofor brought Nigeria's World Cup hopes back from the dead with a late winner deep into stoppage time on Sunday in Abuja.
Nsofor headed namesake Obinna Nwaneri's desperate lunging cross into an unguarded post in the 94th minute of the 5 added by the referee.
Booed by a scanty turn-out at the start, and intermittently throughout, the Super Eagles struggled to break down the well-drilled Mambas, and could well have gone behind early if Elias Pelembe hadn't hit the crossbar after turning a retreating Elderson Echiejile.
Nigeria coach Shuaibu Amodu made seven changes to the team that started against Tunisia, and the side looked shorn of rhythm, although they still carved chances out and really should have been two goals up before halftime.
The longer the game stayed scoreless, the more confident the Mambas grew and the more raggedy the Nigerians became.
The visitors even had a cheeky spell where they put nearly 25 passes together without a single Eagle touching the ball.
As the game wore on, the Eagles began to turn the screws, but were rebuffed by stoic, disciplined defending.
Chance upon chance upon chance were created but goalkeeper Rafael Joao was having a blinder of a game along with his defenders, and the Eagles could find no way through, and looked in danger of elimination until Nsofor's last-gasp winner. http://www.kickoff.com/static/news/article.php?id=11574
Nsofor headed namesake Obinna Nwaneri's desperate lunging cross into an unguarded post in the 94th minute of the 5 added by the referee.
Booed by a scanty turn-out at the start, and intermittently throughout, the Super Eagles struggled to break down the well-drilled Mambas, and could well have gone behind early if Elias Pelembe hadn't hit the crossbar after turning a retreating Elderson Echiejile.
Nigeria coach Shuaibu Amodu made seven changes to the team that started against Tunisia, and the side looked shorn of rhythm, although they still carved chances out and really should have been two goals up before halftime.
The longer the game stayed scoreless, the more confident the Mambas grew and the more raggedy the Nigerians became.
The visitors even had a cheeky spell where they put nearly 25 passes together without a single Eagle touching the ball.
As the game wore on, the Eagles began to turn the screws, but were rebuffed by stoic, disciplined defending.
Chance upon chance upon chance were created but goalkeeper Rafael Joao was having a blinder of a game along with his defenders, and the Eagles could find no way through, and looked in danger of elimination until Nsofor's last-gasp winner. http://www.kickoff.com/static/news/article.php?id=11574
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Siasia blames strikers, ref for loss
Flying Eagles coach Samson Siasia turned on his strikers after the team lost their second game on the bounce at the Fifa Under-20 World Cup in Egypt.
The Nigerians were beaten 2-0 by Spain despite, once again, dominating their opponents and Siasia said it was down to his forwards to put away the numerous opportunities the team created.
"I believed we had more chances in the first half but I don't know why our strikers always go to sleep. I don't really know how many chances we need to score a goal.
"It is so sad that we have strikers that can't even score goals. If you don't score goals, you can't win any match," the former Nigeria international lamented.
Siasia's was equally unhappy to see his team concede a soft penalty and another player walk off with a red card for the second consecutive game, especially when a Spanish player got off with only a yellow card for a similar offence as that which got Haruna Lukman sent off in the opening game, and he did not spare the referee.
"I don't know what is going on may be the referees don't want us to go to the next round of the competition. It was obvious that the penalty given to the Spanish team was not a penalty. It is just ridiculous."
Nigeria have a slim chance of advancing as best losers if they beat group whipping boys Tahiti, and results from elsewhere go their way.
The Nigerians were beaten 2-0 by Spain despite, once again, dominating their opponents and Siasia said it was down to his forwards to put away the numerous opportunities the team created.
"I believed we had more chances in the first half but I don't know why our strikers always go to sleep. I don't really know how many chances we need to score a goal.
"It is so sad that we have strikers that can't even score goals. If you don't score goals, you can't win any match," the former Nigeria international lamented.
Siasia's was equally unhappy to see his team concede a soft penalty and another player walk off with a red card for the second consecutive game, especially when a Spanish player got off with only a yellow card for a similar offence as that which got Haruna Lukman sent off in the opening game, and he did not spare the referee.
"I don't know what is going on may be the referees don't want us to go to the next round of the competition. It was obvious that the penalty given to the Spanish team was not a penalty. It is just ridiculous."
Nigeria have a slim chance of advancing as best losers if they beat group whipping boys Tahiti, and results from elsewhere go their way.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Mikel out of Mozambique match
The Nigeria midfielder was subbed after the first period in Chelsea's 3-1 loss at Wigan and it was later reported on the Chelsea website that he picked up an ankle knock.
Mikel told KickOffNigeria.com that the prognosis is a three-week layoff.
"It’s very bad and I am going to be out for three weeks," he told KickOffNigeria.com on Monday.
It means the earliest the former Plateau United star can return to action will be a week after the Mozambique game.
Mikel's absence will be a major setback to Shuaibu Amodu's match plans, with the exclusion of Kalu Uche in his call-ups for the game.
Amodu's replacement midfielders are Yusuf Ayinla, Seyi Olofinjana, Olufemi Ajilore and Sani Kaita, with skipper Nwankwo Kanu an option for the middle.
Nigeria are two points behind group leaders Tunisia with two games to go and play Mozambique on October 11 at the Abuja National Stadium.
Mikel told KickOffNigeria.com that the prognosis is a three-week layoff.
"It’s very bad and I am going to be out for three weeks," he told KickOffNigeria.com on Monday.
It means the earliest the former Plateau United star can return to action will be a week after the Mozambique game.
Mikel's absence will be a major setback to Shuaibu Amodu's match plans, with the exclusion of Kalu Uche in his call-ups for the game.
Amodu's replacement midfielders are Yusuf Ayinla, Seyi Olofinjana, Olufemi Ajilore and Sani Kaita, with skipper Nwankwo Kanu an option for the middle.
Nigeria are two points behind group leaders Tunisia with two games to go and play Mozambique on October 11 at the Abuja National Stadium.
Flying Eagles defeated by Spain
The Flying Eagles made a lively start and could have taken the lead when Odion Ighalo mis-hit the ball with just the goalkeeper to beat from five yards. King Osanga also saw a right-footed shot from 25 yards which forced Sergio Asenjo into a scampering low save. Samson Siasia's men failed to test the keeper with a succession of set pieces and long-range efforts.
But as the game wore on, Spain began to move into the ascendancy. Emilio Nsue chested the ball into the path of Merida, who hit a left-footed volley which flew just over the bar. Uche Okafor then turned away a shot from Nsue, but in the 33rd minute the Europeans' pressure paid off.
Playing the offside trap, Nigeria failed to catch a late, well-timed run from deep from Merida, leaving the Arsenal man in acres of space, before he produced an extremely composed finish to lob the ball over the onrushing Okafor. Merida also had a great chance to double his team's advantage on the stroke of half-time, but saw a low shot brilliantly saved by the Nigerian keeper.
Neutrals were left to assume that Siasia had a few harsh words to say to his players at half-time and that his opposing coach Luis Milla ordered his players to protect their lead, given the balance of play in the second half. Spain sat back deep, inviting a lot of pressure from Nigeria, which almost cost them their lead.
Half-time substitute Omatsone Aluko forced a brilliant save out of Asenjo and in the 67th minute, Daniel Adejo headed the ball into the net, but his effort was ruled out for an infringement in the box before the corner was taken. Rabiu Ibrahim and Gbolahan Salami both were wayward in their finishing when well placed and completely against the run of play, Spain added a second.
Ibrahim was adjudged to have tripped Ander Herrera in the box during a rare Spanish attack and Merida converted the resulting penalty in the 83rd minute. Just sixty seconds later, Salami was red carded for an elbow on the double scorer to cap a truly miserable afternoon for the Africans.
The result leaves Spain presumably battling it out for Venezuela for top spot in the group, while Nigeria must look for a big win over Tahiti and hope results elsewhere go their way if they are to remain in the tournament.
Aftermath of spain defeat ;
Samson Siasia, Nigeria coach:
Today we tried to play our own game right from the start and had a lot of opportunities to score. I don't know how many chances we need to make to score a goal though. It's frustrating to have good strikers and yet not be able to put the ball away. Everyone knows if you don't score then you've got no chance of winning. But that's football, and like life sometimes things just don't work out for you. I'm a little disillusioned even though we still have a chance of going through.
Luis Milla, Spain coach:
It was a very even, keenly contested game. Nigeria made it hard for us by closing us down up front, taking the ball from us and making us run a lot to get it back. That made it a physically tiring game for our lads. They have some good players in midfield and up front, but they're a little bit disorganised at the back and we made the most of that. I want to congratulate my players because they worked hard whenever things got tough for us and they managed to come through.
source:http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/matches/round=253217/match=300090227/quotes.html
But as the game wore on, Spain began to move into the ascendancy. Emilio Nsue chested the ball into the path of Merida, who hit a left-footed volley which flew just over the bar. Uche Okafor then turned away a shot from Nsue, but in the 33rd minute the Europeans' pressure paid off.
Playing the offside trap, Nigeria failed to catch a late, well-timed run from deep from Merida, leaving the Arsenal man in acres of space, before he produced an extremely composed finish to lob the ball over the onrushing Okafor. Merida also had a great chance to double his team's advantage on the stroke of half-time, but saw a low shot brilliantly saved by the Nigerian keeper.
Neutrals were left to assume that Siasia had a few harsh words to say to his players at half-time and that his opposing coach Luis Milla ordered his players to protect their lead, given the balance of play in the second half. Spain sat back deep, inviting a lot of pressure from Nigeria, which almost cost them their lead.
Half-time substitute Omatsone Aluko forced a brilliant save out of Asenjo and in the 67th minute, Daniel Adejo headed the ball into the net, but his effort was ruled out for an infringement in the box before the corner was taken. Rabiu Ibrahim and Gbolahan Salami both were wayward in their finishing when well placed and completely against the run of play, Spain added a second.
Ibrahim was adjudged to have tripped Ander Herrera in the box during a rare Spanish attack and Merida converted the resulting penalty in the 83rd minute. Just sixty seconds later, Salami was red carded for an elbow on the double scorer to cap a truly miserable afternoon for the Africans.
The result leaves Spain presumably battling it out for Venezuela for top spot in the group, while Nigeria must look for a big win over Tahiti and hope results elsewhere go their way if they are to remain in the tournament.
Aftermath of spain defeat ;
Samson Siasia, Nigeria coach:
Today we tried to play our own game right from the start and had a lot of opportunities to score. I don't know how many chances we need to make to score a goal though. It's frustrating to have good strikers and yet not be able to put the ball away. Everyone knows if you don't score then you've got no chance of winning. But that's football, and like life sometimes things just don't work out for you. I'm a little disillusioned even though we still have a chance of going through.
Luis Milla, Spain coach:
It was a very even, keenly contested game. Nigeria made it hard for us by closing us down up front, taking the ball from us and making us run a lot to get it back. That made it a physically tiring game for our lads. They have some good players in midfield and up front, but they're a little bit disorganised at the back and we made the most of that. I want to congratulate my players because they worked hard whenever things got tough for us and they managed to come through.
source:http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/matches/round=253217/match=300090227/quotes.html
Friday, September 25, 2009
Nigeria lose To Venezuela
It was Venezuela's first ever appearance at a major inter-continental football tournament, and there were unsurprisingly a few nerves on show early on in the encounter. It wasn’t just the South American side that looked anxious, but also the more experienced Nigerians who struggled to find their feet early on during the contest.
Mistakes characterised the opening part of the match, as both sides squandered early chances presented to them. Venezuelan right-back Pablo Camacho delivered a tempting cross into the box, forcing Nigerian goalkeeper Ucke Okafor to tip the ball away with the follow up shot turned behind at the expense of a corner.
The Nigerians immediately responded with a chance of their own as captain Ighalo dialed up a long distance effort from over 40 yards out. What should have been a comfortable save was made to look much harder, when Romo fumbled the ball and conceded an unnecessary corner.
Gradually the Venezuelans began to take control of the game, and started to look the more composed of the two teams. A poor pass from Nigerian midfielder Oluwasina Abe gifted possession to Venezuelan striker Jonathan Del Valle, who strode forward, cut inside the recently booked Nwakwo Obiorah, who couldn’t afford to drag him down, but saw his shot bounce off the post. The loose ball was returned from the right flank back into the danger-zone, and again Del Valle was denied, this time by a combination of keeper and defence to close him down.
Halfway through the first period, the Venezuelans looked dangerous again when a long range strike from left-back Henry Pernia ricocheted off Okafor in the Nigerian goal. The follow up effort from Jose Rondon was flagged offside.
The Nigerians gradually started to establish a foothold in the game, and tested Udinese based goalkeeper Rafael Romo with two long range efforts. A curling free kick on 26 minutes from Osanga was tipped away, and Romo had to be on his toes eight minutes later when neat interplay in the midfield released Odion Ighalo to have a strong shot from the edge of the penalty area. Romo turned the effort behind for a corner.
All the good Nigerian work in getting themselves back into the contest was thrown into turmoil when attacking midfielder Lukman Haruna was sent off. Experienced referee Roberto Rosetti, a Serie A regular, had no hesitation in flashing a straight red to the Monaco player after a late lunge caught Francisco Flores on the knee.
The young Super Eagles were made to further rue Haruna’s indiscretion, when Venezuela snatched the lead with moments to play in the first half. A well flighted free kick to the edge of the penalty area was initially missed by the Nigerian defence presenting it to Del Valle, whose effort flew into the net off his shin to give the Venezuelans the edge going into the interval.
The half-time break gave the hard-pressed Nigerians time to review their approach. They started the second half more confidently, and some neat approach work down the right flank gave the lively 18-year old striker Osanga a sniff of goal. He was quickly closed down to deny the chance though.
Minutes later, a well delivered corner kick found Ibok Edet at the far post. Seemingly overlooked by the Venezuelan defence, Edet missed his first shot, but then stabbed the ball against the outside of the post. That chance ushered in a spell of concerted Nigerian pressure, which culminated in a chance on the 50th minute. Great build up play on the right flank saw a ball played in for Osanga, but at the last moment a defender managed to sneak a toe in to dispossess the striker.
Despite seeing plenty of the ball and pressing forward, the Nigerians found clear cut chances increasingly difficult to wriggle out of the Venezuelan defence as the second half progressed. In the 77th minute substitute Fatai flashed a shot wide from the left, as the Africans resorted to a more direct approach in their attempts to prise open the opposition's back line.
Venezuela could have doubled their lead as the clock ticked over to 90 minutes. Del Valle flashed a cross to the far post where Rondon was hanging around hopefully. However, the goal scorer from the first-half got far too much on the cross and despite lunging at the ball, Rondon was unable to make meaningful contact, which would have surely put the game beyond doubt.
The Nigerians once again had good fortune when Del Valle squandered yet another chance with seconds left in injury time. Venezuela broke forward from a Nigerian corner with a two-on-one advantage, but the Deportivo Tachira striker's shot narrowly missed the target.
It was to be the last major action of the game, as Venezuela secured their first ever victory on an inter-continental stage, and gave further evidence of the major strides they are making in the game. Nigeria will be disappointed with a lacklustre first half performance, especially given the significant improvement they made despite playing with a man less for the entire second period.
Mistakes characterised the opening part of the match, as both sides squandered early chances presented to them. Venezuelan right-back Pablo Camacho delivered a tempting cross into the box, forcing Nigerian goalkeeper Ucke Okafor to tip the ball away with the follow up shot turned behind at the expense of a corner.
The Nigerians immediately responded with a chance of their own as captain Ighalo dialed up a long distance effort from over 40 yards out. What should have been a comfortable save was made to look much harder, when Romo fumbled the ball and conceded an unnecessary corner.
Gradually the Venezuelans began to take control of the game, and started to look the more composed of the two teams. A poor pass from Nigerian midfielder Oluwasina Abe gifted possession to Venezuelan striker Jonathan Del Valle, who strode forward, cut inside the recently booked Nwakwo Obiorah, who couldn’t afford to drag him down, but saw his shot bounce off the post. The loose ball was returned from the right flank back into the danger-zone, and again Del Valle was denied, this time by a combination of keeper and defence to close him down.
Halfway through the first period, the Venezuelans looked dangerous again when a long range strike from left-back Henry Pernia ricocheted off Okafor in the Nigerian goal. The follow up effort from Jose Rondon was flagged offside.
The Nigerians gradually started to establish a foothold in the game, and tested Udinese based goalkeeper Rafael Romo with two long range efforts. A curling free kick on 26 minutes from Osanga was tipped away, and Romo had to be on his toes eight minutes later when neat interplay in the midfield released Odion Ighalo to have a strong shot from the edge of the penalty area. Romo turned the effort behind for a corner.
All the good Nigerian work in getting themselves back into the contest was thrown into turmoil when attacking midfielder Lukman Haruna was sent off. Experienced referee Roberto Rosetti, a Serie A regular, had no hesitation in flashing a straight red to the Monaco player after a late lunge caught Francisco Flores on the knee.
The young Super Eagles were made to further rue Haruna’s indiscretion, when Venezuela snatched the lead with moments to play in the first half. A well flighted free kick to the edge of the penalty area was initially missed by the Nigerian defence presenting it to Del Valle, whose effort flew into the net off his shin to give the Venezuelans the edge going into the interval.
The half-time break gave the hard-pressed Nigerians time to review their approach. They started the second half more confidently, and some neat approach work down the right flank gave the lively 18-year old striker Osanga a sniff of goal. He was quickly closed down to deny the chance though.
Minutes later, a well delivered corner kick found Ibok Edet at the far post. Seemingly overlooked by the Venezuelan defence, Edet missed his first shot, but then stabbed the ball against the outside of the post. That chance ushered in a spell of concerted Nigerian pressure, which culminated in a chance on the 50th minute. Great build up play on the right flank saw a ball played in for Osanga, but at the last moment a defender managed to sneak a toe in to dispossess the striker.
Despite seeing plenty of the ball and pressing forward, the Nigerians found clear cut chances increasingly difficult to wriggle out of the Venezuelan defence as the second half progressed. In the 77th minute substitute Fatai flashed a shot wide from the left, as the Africans resorted to a more direct approach in their attempts to prise open the opposition's back line.
Venezuela could have doubled their lead as the clock ticked over to 90 minutes. Del Valle flashed a cross to the far post where Rondon was hanging around hopefully. However, the goal scorer from the first-half got far too much on the cross and despite lunging at the ball, Rondon was unable to make meaningful contact, which would have surely put the game beyond doubt.
The Nigerians once again had good fortune when Del Valle squandered yet another chance with seconds left in injury time. Venezuela broke forward from a Nigerian corner with a two-on-one advantage, but the Deportivo Tachira striker's shot narrowly missed the target.
It was to be the last major action of the game, as Venezuela secured their first ever victory on an inter-continental stage, and gave further evidence of the major strides they are making in the game. Nigeria will be disappointed with a lacklustre first half performance, especially given the significant improvement they made despite playing with a man less for the entire second period.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
