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.

Play media

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.