A thought on Mikel Obi (part 2) BY KENNETH JUDE

There is no contending the fact that John Mikel Obi can surely add goal scoring to his game. He has the talent and has showed amazing composure and mastery to do that. As I pointed out in the part one of this piece last week, his predecessor, Claude Makelele was not a prolific scorer – though he was a genius and a delight to watch in his heyday; he marshaled the central midfield with authority, precision and know-how; but with all his qualities and commanding presence, he scored just twice for Chelsea in his over five years solidarity in West London. 

Yet, in spite of his goal drought, little or nothing was taken off the former Real Madrid strongman. His skills, steel and exceptional grasp of his position stood him out as one, if not the best holding midfielder to have played the beautiful game.

Vincent Enyeama: In the form of his life BY KENNETH JUDE

 

There is an insatiable urge to comment on the exploits of the Golden Eaglets in the just concluded under 17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), at least if not for any other thing, but as a patriotic citizen and having watched these young lads put up such scintillating displays before the world. It is apt that one doffs his hat for them and the coaching crew. These set of rookies have been simply sensational, rugged and dogged hence their feat, I will elaborate and extensively analyze in greater details next week.

Super Eagles: As Brazil beckon

The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Sunday 13th October, 2013 defeated Ethiopia 2-1 Addis Ababa in the first leg of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Brazil.

The victory, of course did not come on a platter of Gold. Nigeria strived through sweat for it under excruciating humidity in the East African enclave. 

 

The Ethiopians played with verve and zest. Very few pundits were startled by their performance. When both countries squared up in the 2013 Africa Cup of nations hosted in South Africa, it took two clinical spot kicks by one lone Liverpool striker, Victor Moses to topple the ‘stubborn’ Wyla Antelopes in a match that sparked Nigeria’s match to her third Nations Cup triumph.