Osaze Undecided Over Eagles Stay

Stoke City star also considers his Nigeria future

Osaze Peter Odemwingie considering his international future after the Super Eagles’ second round exit at the World Cup.

Odemwingie scored the only goal as Nigeria beat Bosnia-Hercegovina in a Group F game.
But the 32-year-old says after 67 caps that the loss to France on 30 June could be his final Nigeria appearance.

“Sometimes you just feel like you’ve come a circle and I don’t know whether I’ll play on for Nigeria,” he told BBC Sport.

“I am committed to the country’s cause. Right now I’m not too sure. It might be but it might not.
“You need to be honest with yourself and your country. There are few people I need to talk to because I can’t be selfish.

“Nigeria has always meant everything to me. Despite everything I’ve been through, wearing the national colours has definitely been one the highlights of my career.”

After a goal-scoring debut against Kenya in Lagos in 2002, he has been widely regarded as one of the most committed and dedicated players to have represented Nigeria.

As well as winning silver medal at the 2008 Olympic Games, he was part of the Nigeria squad that finished in third-place at the 2004, 2006 and 2010 African Cup of Nations.

However, he was omitted from the Super Eagles squad that won won the continental title in 2013.

His omission led to a public spat with coach Stephen Keshi, he was subsequently banished to the international wilderness, but was recalled to play at this year’s World Cup.

“One of those things [missing the team' successful campaign] you look back on and learn from without holding any regrets,” he added.

“I’m imperfect and I’ve learned so much playing international football,” he added.

“There are many young players coming through now and you can only pass on your experience.
“It’s not a decision I will rush into but then, you need to make an honest one.

Sport Update D-day For Nigeria As FIFA Ban Looms

–Adamu, Sports Minister off to Brazil to meet FIFA

FIFA will today decide whether to refer the case of the Nigeria Football Federation to one of its appropriate bodies for sanctions or respect Nigeria’s high court decision which restrained the Nigeria Football Federation Executive committee led by Aminu Maigari from administering over the affairs of the federation and by extension football in Nigeria.

FIFA had in a letter dated Friday,July 4 and addressed to the NFF expressed concern over the different actions taken by Nigerian public authorities that affect the NFF.

FIFA claimed it learnt from various sources that the NFF was served with court processes and that consequently an order restraining the President of the NFF, his Executive Committee members and the NFF Congress from running the affairs of Nigerian football was granted by a High Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

FIFA says it is also aware that the Minister of Sport has appointed an assistant director to take charge of the NFF.

The world governing body for football decried the development and reminded whoever cares to listen that all FIFA member associations have to manage their affairs independently and without influence of any third parties as clearly stipulated in articles 13, par. 1 and 17, par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes.,

FIFA has thus asked the NFF to disregard the ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction in Nigeria and relay its position to the relevant authorities and inform them that if the aforementioned Maigari and members of his executive committee are not fully reinstated by Tuesday 8 July 2014 the case will be referred to the appropriate FIFA bodies for sanctions, including the potential suspension of the NFF.

Meanwhile Complete Sports gathered late Monday night that former FIFA executive committee member,Dr Amos Adamu and the Sports Minister,Dr Tammy Danagogo will fly out to Brazil tonight to meet FIFA.

Danagogo has vehemently denied government is interfering in the affairs of the NFF and will seize the opportunity of the visit to let FIFA know that the restraining order came from a court of competent jurisdiction in Nigeria and must be respected.

Complete Sports also gathered that a second team of Nigerian officials are scheduled to also fly out at a later date to meet with Issa Hayatou,president of CAF to explain the Nigeria situation so that FIFA can properly understand its laws are not superior to the laws of Nigeria.

Crotone, Lanciano Want Oduamadi On Loan

Crotone, Lanciano Want Oduamadi On Loan

•  8 JUL 2014
 
•  NEWS UPDATE

By Johnny. Edward:

Serie B sides Crotone and Virtus Lanciano have joined the race to sign Nigerian winger Nnamdi Oduamadi on a season loan deal, Complete Sports has reliably gathered.

AC Milan recently completed the signing of French winger Jeremy Menez and are prepared to send the Super Eagles winger on another loan spell after he featured on loan at Brescia and Varese last season.

The 23 year old winger who will rejoin his parent club for pre-season next week is also on the radar of Championship side Leeds and Sivasspor.

The former Torino winger who was sensationally dropped from Nigeria’s squad for the World Cup in Brazil scored four goals in 12 games for Varese last term and four in 13 games for the national team.

World Cup 2014: Colombia squad welcomed home by thousands

Thousands of fans turned out in Bogota to welcome home Colombia's footballers after their best performance at a World Cup finals.

Coach Jose Pekerman guided his side to their first quarter-final appearance before they lost 2-1 to hosts Brazil.

James Rodriguez scored six goals at the finals, and remains the tournament's top scorer ahead of the semi-finals.

The Monaco midfielder's total included a spectacular volley in a 2-0 last-16 victory over Uruguay in Rio de Janeiro.

Rodriguez scored in all five of Colombia's matches in Brazil.

He struck in each of their Group C victories over Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan, added two more in the win over Uruguay and then converted a penalty as his side were eliminated by the hosts.

Colombia's president Juan Manuel Santos sent a message thanking the team "for so much joy and for teaching us how to dream".

World Cup 2014: Howard Webb retained for last four games

Howard Webb could be in contention to referee the World Cup final after he was one of 15 officials retained by Fifa for the last four matches.

The 42-year-old from Yorkshire, whose assistants Mike Mullarkey and Darren Cann are also retained, has taken charge of two games at the tournament.

He refereed Colombia's group-stage win against Ivory Coast and also Brazil's last-16 victory over Chile.

Webb officiated the 2010 World Cup final between Spain and Netherlands.

In that game, which Spain won 1-0, Webb made one of the most controversial decisions of his career by not sending off midfielder Nigel de Jong for a high-footed challenge. He has since admitted he should have shown the ex-Manchester City man a red card.

Brazilian Sandro Ricci is the only referee to be kept on from the four remaining countries - Argentina, Germany and Netherlands are the others - left in the tournament.

Mexican referee Marco Rodriguez has been assigned Brazil's semi-final against Germany on Tuesday.

Rodriguez was in charge of the group stage game between Uruguay and Italy, when Liverpool striker Luis Suarez bit Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini.

Meanwhile, Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir will take charge of the second semi-final between the Netherlands and Argentina on Wednesday.

World Cup 2014: Brazil fail to have Thiago Silva booking rescinded

Defender Thiago Silva will miss Tuesday's World Cup semi-final against Germany after Brazil failed in their bid to have his yellow card overturned.

The Brazil captain, 29, was booked in Friday's win against Colombia.

It was Silva's second yellow of the tournament, meaning he is automatically suspended for one match.

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World Cup 2014: Brazil 2-1 Colombia highlights

The Brazilian football confederation wanted the second caution rescinded but Fifa said there is "no legal basis" to grant such a request.

Silva was booked for blocking Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina's attempt to take a kick.

He had scored the opener as Brazil won 2-1 to progress to the last four.

Silva's defensive partner, David Luiz, will captain the side in his absence.

The tournament hosts are already without their star forward Neymar for the rest of the World Cup after he fractured a vertebra in his spine against Colombia.

Willian is expected to replace Neymar, although the Chelsea attacker did give Brazil a scare when he suffered a back injury in training.

"I was hurt on my left side," the former Shakhtar Donetsk player said. "It bothers me a bit but it is not significant. I am available to play."

World Cup 2014: Faith and football as Brazil unites to pray for glory

It is hard to think of a country that combines sport and spirituality quite like Brazil.

Neymar may be out of the World Cup, but Brazil has kept the faith; Brazil still believes.

With coach Luiz Felipe Scolari not able to rely on an individual to drive the Selecao to the final in Rio on Sunday, the nation is looking to a higher power.

Brazil is embracing a blend of religion, emotion and superstition. And that is as true of the 200 million people of this vast, varied country, as it is of the national team.

During the run to Tuesday's semi-final against Germany, the players have used religious symbols, lucky charms, music and prayer.

It is often said that, in Brazil, football is a religion, but it is a much more complicated picture than that. Football is instead a platform for the country's religions to find a voice.

The Brazil team have been united by their combined belief throughout this World Cup.

Scolari has used it to bond and motivate the players. Before the victory over Colombia, he visited a chapel in the grounds of the team hotel in Fortaleza. In the dressing room before the match, the squad repeated the Lord's Prayer. And at the final whistle, defender David Luiz sank to his knees and prayed again.

World Cup 2014: Fifa will not take action over Neymar challenge

Colombia's Juan Zuniga will not face disciplinary action for the challenge that led to Neymar's World Cup exit.

The Brazil striker broke a vertebra in his spine during his side's 2-1 quarter-final win on Friday following a challenge from defender Zuniga, 28.

A Fifa statement said there could be no disciplinary action because the incident was spotted and dealt with by referee Velasco Carballo on the pitch.

"We wish Neymar a prompt and complete recovery," said a Fifa spokesman.

Fifa has also announced it will not overturn the yellow card shown to Brazil captain Thiago Silva during the Colombia game, saying "there is no legal basis entitling it to grant such request".

Brazil face Germany in the World Cup semi-final on Tuesday (kick-off 21:00 BST).

World Cup 2014: Lawro's predictions - semi-finals

BBC Sport's football expert Mark Lawrenson is predicting the outcome of every game at the 2014 Fifa World Cup.

Lawro chose the corre

He picked the correct winner in each of the eight last-16 ties and enjoyed a 50% success record in the group stage, correctly guessing the outcome of 24 of the 48 games.

The only group he failed to get a single correct result in was Group D, which was surprisingly won by Costa Rica as England finished bottom.

Before the tournament, Lawro chose 11 out of the 16 teams that went through to the first knockout stage.

Lawro was speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan.ct winner in three of the four quarter-finals, wrongly backing Belgium to knock out Argentina, who were his pre-tournament pick to win the final on 13 July.

Current News Barack Obama Got Destroyed At The Supreme Court

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AP

Two years ago, President Barack Obama stood in jubilation, hugging the White House counsel Kathryn Ruemmler after finding out the Supreme Court had upheld his signature domestic achievement.
Two years later, amid the most significant challenge to the Affordable Care Act since that moment, Obama didn't have much to cheer about. The Supreme Court's 5-4 decision, split along the normal conservative-liberal judicial lines, found the law's contraception mandate violated certain companies' rights under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
" We disagree, and the constitutional lawyer in the Oval Office disagrees, with that conclusion from the Supreme Court," White House press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters Monday.
There's been little solace for Obama this Supreme Court term. In addition to Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, the Obama administration and the causes it has supported have experienced a handful of high-profile setbacks before the high court. 
Also on Tuesday, the Supreme Court dealt a blow to public-sector unions, ruling that some employees couldn't be forced to pay dues. Last week, in a unanimous, 9-0 rebuke, the justices ruled Obama had overstepped his constitutional authority when he went around Congress and unilaterally appointed three members to the National Labor Relations Board.
Also last week, the high court unanimously struck down a law that had established 35-foot "buffer zones" at abortion clinics in Massachusetts. And earlier this term, the court dealt the most serious blow to campaign-finance laws since the landmark Citizens United decision in 2010.
Earnest was asked if Obama was concerned or frustrated about the way the term went for the administration.
" I'd hesitate to make a broad assessment like that from this podium," Earnest said.
But other legal experts and the president's political opponents have taken notice. Since January 2012, the Obama administration has suffered at least 13 unanimous defeats in cases it argued (not counting cases in which it filed an amicus brief), according to the libertarian-leaning Cato Institute. 
Ilya Shapiro, a senior fellow in constitutional studies at the Cato Institute, told Business Insider that while 5-4 decisions can be blamed on the conservative-liberal split of the court, unanimous decisions are " indicative of an administration that pushes and breaks through the envelope in its assertion of federal power."
Added a GOP Senate aide in an email to Business Insider: "Recent court decisions say as much about Democrat overreach as they do about anything else, and no data point underscores that more clearly than the dozen unanimous defeats they’ve handed to Obama."
Solicitor General Donald Verrilli, the administration's chief constitutional attorney, argued and lost four high-profile cases — the NLRB, Hobby Lobby, campaign-finance, and abortion "buffer zone" decisions.

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REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Speaker of the House John Boehner (L) walks away as U.S. President Barack Obama waves upon his departure from the annual Friends of Ireland luncheon at the Capitol in Washington, March 14, 2014.

Two of the rulings handed down over the past week — the NLRB decision and the Hobby Lobby decision — get to the core of the argument Republicans will push this election season. Since Obama announced his intention to make 2014 a "year of action" full of executive actions, Republicans have decried it as an abuse of power. House Speaker John Boehner intends to sue Obama over his prevalent use of executive actions.
That perceived overstep fits in with the Hobby Lobby decision, which Republicans argued was about "religious liberty."
" The decision affirms that Americans, contrary to what the Obama administration attempted to impose, have a right to live and work in accordance to their conscience and can’t be forced to surrender their religious freedom once they open a business," Sen. Ted Cruz said in a statement.  
"This ruling is a repudiation of the Obama administration’s untenable position that people with sincerely held religious beliefs should be forced to comply with an unconstitutional mandate while a parade of waivers, exemptions, and delays are granted for purely commercial and political interests."
The New Yorker's Jeffrey Toobin predicted the two decisions, described as "narrow" by many legal experts, will be anything but — since they open the door to future legal challenges. Toobin considers it part of a classic "two-step" feature of the Chief Justice John Roberts court — hand down a "narrow" ruling now, and make sweeping decisions later. 
Both of the decisions — from the public-sector unions case (Harris v. Quinn) and the Hobby Lobby case — are examples of rulings that could lead to further, more sweeping rewrites of laws. One needs only to glance at the scathing dissent of liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg from the Hobby Lobby decision to see the angst of many liberals and Democrats after this term.
Ginsburg said the court established a new precedent in the Hobby Lobby case — one that "invites for-profit entities to seek religion-based exemptions from regulations they deem offensive to their faith."
"The court, I fear, has ventured into a minefield," she wrote.

EXPOSED: SEE WHO IS PROVIDING BOKO HARAM WITH MONEY AND WEAPONS

After many speculations on where the Islamist militant group, Boko Haram, are getting the weapons they frequently use to unleash terror in the north-eastern states of Nigeria and Abuja, their main sources have been unveiled.
According to US network TV NBC, most of the Islamic terror group’s weapons are either stolen from Nigerian military stocks or purchased on the thriving Central African arms black market, say the experts, including current and former U.S. officials.
While many have often wondered where the insurgents source their weaponry from, given both the sophistication and the sheer number, ThisDay reports that the group blamed for last month’s kidnapping of nearly 300 Nigerian schoolgirls routinely raids police stations and military bases in search of weapons
It was also gathered that in some cases, Boko Haram sympathizers in the Nigerian military abet the theft.

“There are hints that sympathizers in the Nigerian army will deliberately leave doors of armouries unlocked for Boko Haram,” said John Campbell, U.S. ambassador to Nigeria from 2004 to 2007.

It could also be recalled that a top military officer was indicted several years ago in Kaduna, for supplying the weapons of the Nigerian army to Niger Delta militants, led by, now jailed, Henry Okah.
The terror group has been conducting its campaign of terror in the northern states of Nigeria and neighboring Cameroon on the cheap, making mayhem with a makeshift collection of small arms, automatic weapons, rifles, rocket- propelled grenades and mortars, experts on the turbulent region say.
The report also stated that apart from weapons, the rebels frequently seize non-lethal equipment that helps them carry out their terror attacks, quoting one U.S. official.

Apart from benefiting from sympathizers in the Nigerian military, the Islamic terror group is said to be able to purchase small arms and occasionally some larger weaponry in nearby conflict zones, “probably Libya, probably Chad.
These arms are believed to be acquired through “shady, black market” arrangements across barely marked borders, as the official put it.
The porousness of the Nigerian borders was also said to be encouraging the proliferation of the country with illegal arms, according to Michael Leiter, a former director of the National Counter Terrorism Center and now an NBC News analyst.

“The collapse of Libya has further flooded the market,” said Leiter. “Whether these came from Chad, Nigeria, or Libya is almost irrelevant, as such arms are widely available.”

Arms trade expert William M. Hartung agrees. “It’s one conflict after another,” he said. “Because of the nature of the conflict … the concentration of conflicts … the black market in Central Africa is more vibrant than other places.”
Campbell, the former U.S. ambassador to Nigeria, says the array of small and automatic weapons, grenades, mortars, mines and perhaps car bombs “is all Boko Haram’s soldiers need to carry out their brand of terrorism.”
It could be recalled that officials in Cameroon on Tuesday showed a cache of weapons they said was seized near the Nigerian border last month following a rescue of some other kidnapped victims.
A Cameroon defense ministry spokesman, showing off a variety of weaponry including Russian-made AK-47s, said the cache represents what they are up against on a daily basis in trying to combat Boko Haram.

PRESS RELEASE: Troops Bust Terrorists

PRESS RELEASE: Troops Bust Terrorists'
Intelligence Network…Arrest A Key Actor
In Chibok Abduction
A terrorists’ intelligence cell headed by a
businessman who participated actively in
the abduction of School Girls in Chibok
has been busted by troops. The man,
Babuji Ya’ari who is also a member of
the Youth Vigilante Group popularly
known as Civilian JTF which he uses as
cover while remaining an active terrorist,
also spearheaded the murder of the
Emir of Gwoza. His main role in the
group is to spy and gather information
for the terrorists group.
Babuji has been coordinating several
deadly attacks in Maiduguri since 2011,
including the daring attacks on Customs
and military locations as well as the
planting of IEDs in several locations in
the town.