The Spanish giants have announced on their official website that the Italian will be their new head coach for the next three seasons
Real Madrid have confirmed Carlo Ancelotti will leave Paris Saint-Germain to take over at the club following the exit of Jose Mourinho earlier this summer.
The Italian coach has signed a three-year deal and will be presented on Wednesday to reporters and the general public.
Madrid immediately made Ancelotti their primary target following Mourinho's departure to Chelsea, but PSG initially refused to let go of the 54-year-old.
However, they have now opted to allow Ancelotti to move on after appointing Laurent Blanc as their new head coach.
"Real Madrid will present Carlo Ancelotti as the new coach of the first team for the next three seasons on Wednesday June 26," a statement on the club's website reads.
"The event will take place in the Santiago Bernabeu Royal Box at 13:00CET. Carlo Ancelotti will then appear before the media in the press room."
Ancelotti had been in charge of PSG since December 2011 and guided them to only their third Ligue 1 title in history this term and the first in 19 years.
He previously enjoyed success with Chelsea and AC Milan, while also coaching Juventus, Parma and Reggiana in the early stages of his career.
A young football player was pronounced dead on Saturday in Ivory Coast after colliding with his goalkeeper in an attempt to save an incoming ball.
Savadogo Abima, 17, who was a defender at Shadrach Football Club in Mafere, south of the Ivorian commercial capital Abidjan, collapsed during a weekend match against Bonoua Sport in the Regional Division after bumping into his own keeper while both men were trying to deflect a dangerous air ball.
The player was reported to have dropped to the field on his back and was knocked unconscious before being rushed to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead minutes later.
The Ivorian Football Federation confirmed the incident to supersport.com on Monday, and said an investigation had been opened by the local police.
The former left back who played in the country’s Golden Generation wants Stephen Keshi to strengthen his squad with a couple of older players
Former Nigeria left back Benedict Iroha has asked Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi to bring back into the team experienced players like Peter Odemwingie, Victor Anichebe, Ikechukwu Uche and Kalu Uche to further strengthen the team.
Iroha disclosed that it was high time for Keshi to recall these players after Nigeria were eliminated following a 3-0 loss to Spain on Sunday in the Confederations Cup.
"I don't think it is a difficult issue for Keshi to bring back Osaze Odemwingie, Victor Anichebe, Ikechukwu Uche, Kalu Uche to compliment the good work of Emmanuel Emenike, Victor Moses and others to further strengthen this team,” Iroha told Goal.
"I know Keshi is gradually working on this team so that we can blend the young and talented players that have done well so far in this team.
“We need [Odemwingie] and others back and I am happy that he himself said it on his twitter handle that he wants to play for the Eagles again. So this a good omen," the former left back observed.
Iroha also defended the performance of the Super Eagles in the Confederations Cup as he believed that the Nigerian team was not disgraced in the competition despite being ousted by world and European Champions Spain.
"To be honest with you I am very impressed with the performance of the boys. They were never disgraced in all the three matches they played before being eliminated.
"They played a good match against Tahiti and also played beautifully against star-studded Uruguay. They could have even won the game if not for poor marksmanship most especially in the first half. This was later repeated in the third group match against Spain.
"Eagles could have wrapped up things in the first half but couldn't convert the begging chances created against the world champions. So in all I think Nigeria played impressively and showed the world that we have got quality. As we know team coach Stephen Keshi is still building this team and the Eagles can only get better with time," Iroha disclosed.
Nigeria have a game against Malawi in September as they seek to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil
The Netherlands coach has compared the Spaniard's spell to his own at Barcelona, highlighting the importance of communicating with his players
Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal believes the language barrier will be key to Pep Guardiola achieving success at Bayern Munich.
Guardiola officially took charge of the European champions on Monday, and impressed reporters by answering questions at his first press conference in excellent German.
The 42-year-old's brother revealed earlier this month how Guardiola had been meticulously studying German during his sabbatical last year, and Van Gaal believes this could be vital in securing further success with the treble-winners.
"Language is a crucial factor for Guardiola," Van Gaal told Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad.
"German is a tough language for Spaniards, just as Spanish is for the Dutch.
"I compare his spell with Munich to mine at Barcelona. What I said at the very beginning to the players was: 'Correct me if I say something wrong.'
"Then the social guys on the team will help you. So you get a faster connection [with the squad]. The German players are like that, so that will help."
Van Gaal also pointed to the tactical decisions Guardiola must make with the current Bayern side, highlighting the different attacking approaches adopted by previous boss Jupp Heynckes and the Spaniard during his time at Barcelona.
"Most important is what he will do with the Bayern style of play. Jupp Heynckes and I have spent the last few years playing with a No.10," he added.
The Nigeria Professional Football League clubs will meet on Wednesday in Abuja to review the first round of the league and look at the sponsorship tussle
Clubs in the Nigeria Professional Football League and the League Management Committee will meet on Wednesday in Abuja to review the first round of the season and the sponsorship tussle that is presently rocking the League.
The club proprietors will however meet this night to have a common front before the meeting with the LMC. One of the club owners told Goal.com that the meeting is neccessary because they will have to take a hard look at all that happened in the first round with a view to correcting it so it will not recur in the second round.
"The meeting is very neccessary at this time because it will afford us to look at all the issues and find a way of solving it," the official said.
"Apart from what happened in the first round, we will also take a look at the sponsorship tussle where we hear Total Promotions has decided to withdraw the title rights given to a telecommunications company because they did not fulfil their part of the contract.
"I hope we will be able to resolve all that because the league needs a lot of money to make some appraciable progress. It is our hope that after the meeting, the second round of the season will start on a good note."
The League Management Committee is expected to conduct elections and hand over to a properly elected board in September.
Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Bayer Leverkusen attacker Andre Schurrle.
The Blues announced on June 13 that they had reached an agreement with the Bundesliga side for the transfer of Schurrle, and now the details and formalities of the deal have been finalised.
The 22-year-old, who can play on either flank or up front, has signed a five-year contract and will wear the No.14 shirt at Stamford Bridge.
"I am so happy now I have signed and it is an honour for me to play for this club, with this team and for these great fans," Schurrle told the club's official website. "I am really looking forward to it."
Ghana have arrived in Kayseri where they will play USA in their final 2013 FIFA U20 World Cup Group A match.
The Black Satellites must record a handsome victory against the Americans to finish as one of the best four third-placed teams for the round of 16 stage.
Sellas Tetteh will hold two training sessions before deciding on his starting line-up for the match.
The Black Satellites lost their opening Group match 3-1 to France at Turk Telekom Arena in Istanbul.
USA have one point after drawing 1-1 with France in Istanbul on Monday and can qualify if they beat the 2009 champions.
English Premier League side Swansea have joined the long queue of clubs interested in signing Ghana midfield star Mubarak Wakaso.
The Wales-based club are prepared to splash €5million to be able to sign the midfielder from his Spanish club Espanyol.
Swansea become the fifth club reported to be keen on signing the powerhouse midfielder.
Apart from mild interest from Juventus, Wigan also has also been in contact with his current club Espanyol.
Speculation in Italy suggests the Serie A champions Juventus are lining up a €7million (£6m) for the Ghana international while Inter Milan are also thought to be monitoring the situation.
Everton have at the same time been credited with an interest in Wakaso and Roberto Martinez, who has succeeded David Moyes as manager at Goodison Park, is rumoured to be a fan.
But while the 22-year-old is pleased his star performances are being recognised, he knows a decision on his future rests with Espanyol.
Wakaso said: "Espanyol will decide about my future.
Juventus have been monitoring the exploits of the former Elche and Villarreal player since the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
Wakaso, 23, has been a revelation in the setup of coach Javier Aguirre since moving to the Barcelona club last summer and he played 24 times scoring thrice in the just ended league season.
President of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), Lawrence Mulindwa, has thrown the football fraternity into panic after announcing he will not seek re-election on August 31.
Mulindwa reportedly told his executive members in a 4-hour meeting yesterday that his reason of pulling out was purely personal. The proprietor of one of the best secondary schools in Uganda, St. Marys Kitende, came into football administration in December 2005.
He had promised to take Uganda to the Africa Cup of Nations when elected, but failed. The Cranes came close to qualifying for the 2011 and 2013 Afcon Editions. Uganda last appeared in the 1978 Afcon in Ghana.
‘This is a big shock, but we shall wait as we try to convince the FA President to have a change of mind because he is still very instrumental in the development of the sport in Uganda,” said Rogers Mulindwa, the FA’s Head of Communication.
“It’s true the FUFA President Lawrence Mulindwa on Monday addressed his Executive Committee members at FUFA House and hinted on his intentions not to seek another term of office in the forthcoming elections.
"The President’s decision to opt out of football administration is however purely a personal choice and he is not succumbing to any pressure,” stated the FA’s media office.
“This is very bad for Ugandan football because Mulindwa has been good for football in Uganda,” said Florence Nambi.
Uganda’s FA President Mulindwa was recently appointed on two committees of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). MTNFOOTBALL
Barcelona have reportedly joined the race to sign unsettled Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, according to The Sun.
Rooney is due to hold more talks with new Manchester United boss David Moyes this week but a number of clubs are poised to strike if he cannot be persuaded to stay, with Chelsea and Real Madrid also being mentioned as possible destinations.
"Rooney is precisely the type of attacker that would fit perfectly into the system," the newspaper quoted a Barcelona insider as saying. "Defence starts from the front at Barca and Rooney works harder than anyone.
"His first touch, movement, control and vision are phenomenal and if he comes on the market then the club are certain to try to sign him."
Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Stephen Keshi has swiftly turned his attention to the 2014 African Nations Championship qualifying match against Cote d’Ivoire, by calling up 24 home boys for the game billed for the end of next week.
Even as the African champions were rueing several missed chances in the 3-0 defeat to World and European champions Spain at the FIFA Confederations Cup tournament in Brazil, Keshi pencilled down goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim, defenders Azubuike Egwuekwe, Godfrey Oboabona, Solomon Kwambe and Benjamin Francis, midfielders Emeka Eze and Sunday Mba and forward Muhammad Gambo from the squad that were with him in Brazil, and added 14 more from Nigeria’s top flight and two from the lower division.
Returning are goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi, defender Kunle Odunlami and striker Obinna Nwachukwu and Gomo Onduku who were part of the team’s training camp in Germany ahead of the international friendly with Mexico in Texas, USA.
Defender Chibuzor Okonkwo, no stranger to the senior team camp, is joined by familiar faces Umar Zango and Ezekiel Bassey, Ayo Saka and Anthony Okputu.
Nigeria Professional Football League top scorer Dele Olorundare of Sunshine Stars is joined by former junior international midfielder Olufemi Oladapo.
New faces are Mohammed Ajia of Bayelsa United, Enyimba FC’s Ifeanyi Edeh, Pius Samson of Ranch Bees, Festus Ajah of Union Bank FC and Warri Wolves’ Etebo Oghene.
The players are expected to report at the Bolton White Apartments, Abuja on Sunday, 30th June, 2013.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation has announced that the match will be played at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna on Saturday, 6th July.
“We are happy for the favourable response from the Kaduna State Government, and we have also approached the National Sports Commission for permission to use the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna for the encounter.
“The grass is excellent and the entire facility is so well-maintained. The Super Eagles will find the place comfortable,” Barrister Musa Amadu, NFF General Secretary who was in Kaduna on Monday, said.
LIST OF INVITED PLAYERS:
Goalkeepers: Chigozie Agbim (Warri Wolves); Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC)
The Confederation of African Football has appointed Malian official, Mahamadou Keita as centre referee for the 2014 African Nations Championship qualifying match between Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire, billed for Saturday next week in Kaduna.
Keita, 30, became an international referee in 2009. He will be assisted by compatriots Moriba Diakite, 33 (Assistant Referee 1), Nouhoum Bamba, 35 (Assistant Referee 2) and Ousmane Sidibe, 39 (Reserve Referee).
The Match Commissioner is Idrissa Sarr, a renown former FIFA-graded referee from Mauritania.
For the return leg in Abidjan on July 27, CAF has appointed officials from Morocco to take charge. Noureddine el Jaafari, a 35-year old who became an international referee only this year, will be at the centre, to be assisted by compatriots Bouazza Rouani, 39 (Assistant Referee 1), Youssef Mabrouk, 38 (Assistant Referee 2) and Khalid Ennouni, 40 (Reserve Referee).
The Match Commissioner will be Kossi Adjodo from Togo.
The Nigeria Team is out of FIFA COnfederations cup going on in Brazil, the match which was played in Fortaleza ended
The Spanish team scored a fast goal at the the first 3mins of the match, the goal was scored by Aldo and not long after Nigerian defender Kenneth Omeruo couldn't continue the game due to a twisted arm.
Enyeama saves Ramos' header as first half ends, Nigeria 0 Spain 1, at the 70th minute Mohammed Gambo replaces Akpala for Nigeria
The second goal was a header scored by Torres at the 67th minute,not long after replacing Soldado.
Jordi Alba scored his second goal of the match at the 89th minute and made the scores Nigeria 0 Spain 3
The match ended 3 - 0, Uruguay 8 Tahiti 0
Spain and Uruguay has qualified from Group B to proceed to the next stage.
The African Champion, Nigeria and Oceania Champion, Tahiti are out of the Tournament.
Victoria Beckham hits the mall as she checks out Beijing's designer shops in an all black ensemble
She has barely been in the country a few hours and yet Victoria Beckham is already doing what she does best. The beautiful brunette landed in Bejing, China on Saturday and after being given a warm welcome by local fans at the airport she hit the shops.
The 39-year-old was seen checking out the stores at Shin Kong Place as she slipped into a stunning all black outfit.
Roger Federer has 77 singles titles under his belt, but there is something he'll never win. An Oscar. That being said, he does look great with a mustache
The White House says President Barack Obama has congratulated the Miami Heat's head coach on winning the NBA championship the second year in a row.
Obama called Coach Erik Spoelstra on Friday afternoon. The White House says Obama pointed out the team's relentless determination and noted it was a historic season for the team and for its MVP, LeBron James.
The White House says Obama told the coach that he'll have the team to the White House to congratulate them in person on their victory.
Miami won its third NBA championship Thursday night, topping the San Antonio Spurs 95-88 in Game 7 of the finals.
He's now a two-time NBA champion - and a two-time Finals MVP.
After two years of almost-constant basketball, James still found a way to be at his absolute best in Game 7 of the NBA Finals. He scored 37 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and simply controlled everything down the stretch, as the Heat won the title with a 95-88 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night.
"This is what it's all about," James said. "I came here to win championships and to be able to go back to back, two championships in three years, so far, it's the ultimate."
Two days after helping the Heat survive a wild Game 6 in overtime, James' final numbers went like this in Game 7: 12-for-23 from the field, 5-for-10 from 3-point range, 8-for-8 from the line.
And in a season where he was the league's MVP for a fourth time, he's now added a second ring to the collection. Suddenly, his resume is looking as complete as some of the other all-time greats. Nor should he. Here's a club: He joined Michael Jordan and Bill Russell as the only players in league history to win back-to-back Finals MVP and regular-season MVP awards.
"Listen, I can't worry about what everybody says about me," James said, as confetti fell around him. "I'm LeBron James, from Akron, Ohio, from the inner city. I'm not even supposed to be here. That's enough. Every night I walk into the locker room, I see a No. 6 with James on the back, I'm blessed. So what everybody says about me off the court, don't matter. I ain't got no worries."
Dwyane Wade scored 23 points and won his third NBA title. Shane Battier - benched earlier in these playoffs - had 18 on six 3-pointers and said "it's better to be timely than good," afterward. Mario Chalmers scored 14 for the Heat, who won despite no points from Chris Bosh.
It didn't matter. James was good enough to mask any problem the Heat had Thursday night. A series that started with three games of the Spurs supposedly bottling him up and solving the riddle of how to stop the MVP ended with him doing pretty much whatever he wanted.
"It became time," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "He always rises to the occasion when it matters the most, when the competition is fiercest."
He rarely acknowledges this much, but James has to be exhausted. He worked out furiously during the lockout in 2011, in part because he convinced himself that the season would begin on time, in part because he was still smarting from how sub-par he played during the Finals loss to the Mavericks in his first season with the Heat.
Last season began on Dec. 25, 2011. The Heat went through the rigors of that ultra-compacted 66-game schedule and won a title. James went right into training with USA Basketball, eventually helping that team win a gold medal at the London Olympics. After that, he took about two weeks off, then starting getting ready for this season, which went all the way down to the last possible day.
That's more basketball, under more pressure, than anyone else on the planet in the last two years. James took all the criticism when the Heat lost those 2011 finals. He took all the criticism in 2010 as well, when the Heat welcomed him and Bosh as Wade's newest star teammates with a star-studded party that was planned long before James made his infamous "decision" to sign with the Heat. Now he's won two titles, and refuses to take all the credit.
"All it's about now is what's in front of us," Heat president Pat Riley said. "Not what's behind us. I wish people would stop talking about that. He's been to the Finals three years in a row. He's won two championships, two MVPs. He definitely controlled the game tonight. I believe in LeBron."
There he was, a championship at stake, taking the jumper with 27.9 seconds left that made it a two-possession game and put the Heat on the cusp of a repeat. He marched back to the Heat huddle, punching the air. The score was 92-88, everyone in the sold-out building seemed to be standing, and a championship celebration was mere moments away.
Sure enough, it happened.
"I put a lot of work into it and to be able to come out here and see the results happen out on the floor is the ultimate, the ultimate," James said. "I'm at a loss for words."
Two years ago, James probably wouldn't have taken that shot.
Now, there's no way he would not. And he drilled it, too, the ball going through with a soft swish for his 34th and 35th points.
"What he brings every night is unbelievable," Wade said.
James arrived at the arena in a convertible on Thursday, waving to the fans who were waiting to take a photo. An hour or so later, standing at his locker, he tried to insist that Game 7 was obviously huge but would have to be treated really like any other game.
In short, that was his way of saying that he cannot change the way he plays now.
Then he went out and did what he does best, making the right plays, hoping they become winning plays. "He only plays one way," said Maverick Carter, James' longtime friend and associate. "He plays the right way."
On the possession after James made the jumper for the four-point late lead, he got into the passing late and intercepted a ball thrown wildly by San Antonio's Manu Ginobili with 23.5 seconds left and was immediately fouled.
The first free throw went in, and James stepped off the line to set up Miami's defense.
The second free throw dropped as well, and James made a beeline for Ginobili, dribbling upcourt.
Ginobili took a 3-pointer that the regular-season MVP contested, and it sailed well wide of the rim. That was the Spurs' last gasp. It was over. The Heat reign will continue for another year, and so will James' spot as the unquestioned best player in the world.
"This is the hardest series we ever had to play," Wade said. "This is what it's all about." Including playoffs, the Heat became just the 10th team in NBA history to win at least 80 games - they won 82 this season. And like the other nine, the Heat won it all.
James will be getting married this summer. ("Now it's going to be one the best weddings ever," James said.) Another ring ceremony awaits him this fall when Miami tries for a three-peat. And a season that began with the addition of Ray Allen to a championship core, saw a 27-game winning streak, even a "Harlem Shake" video that broke up some needed midseason tension, it ended with Miami in the same place it was a year ago - on top of the basketball world
"They pushed us to the limit," James said. Near the limit, maybe. James fended off everything the Spurs threw at him. "Credit to the Miami Heat," Spurs forward Tim Duncan said. "LeBron was unbelievable. ... We just couldn't find a way to stop him."
The Flying Eagles players are disappointed with their 2-3 loss to Portugal on Friday in their opening match of the U-20 World Cup in Turkey.
The team’s captain, Abduljaleel Ajagun, made the statement on Saturday, according to a statement issued by the team’s Media Officer, Sam Audu, in Abuja.
Ajagun promised that the team would improve in their next match.
“We are all disappointed we lost the game but we are also looking forward to our next game against Cuba on Monday.
“We will improve in our next game and score the goals that will get us back into the competition,’’ the team captain said.
The statement added that Coach John Obuh said the match against Cuba would be the team’s next focus. “It was a keenly contested game but unfortunately we lost, this was not what we had hoped for. We have to take the defeat in good faith so as to face the next game because we have to qualify to the next round,’’ the statement quoted Obuh as saying.
In the other match of Group B played earlier on Friday, South Korea came from behind to beat Cuba 2-1.
The current national 400m female gold hurdles holders, Ajoke Odumosu, has expressed confidence that with her daily improving performance, she is ripe and ready for the world championships.
Odumosu disclosed this on Friday after she won the 400m hurdles gold for women at the ongoing All Nigeria/Cross River Open Athletics Championships in Calabar.
She clocked 56.35 seconds ahead of Ndu Ogonna, who claimed the silver at 56.87 seconds, and Ann Nwaogu, the bronze prize winner who made 58.19 seconds.
Odumosu of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), who holds the national record of 54.40 seconds set in 2012, could not match her own record in the championship.
“I know I have improved a lot. This year is slow coming and I know I’ve improved a lot but I give God the glory things are getting better.
“Every time I run, I try to be more aggressive from the blocks I attack the hurdles and hoping my strength helps me to finish strong. I’m ready for the world championships,” an elated Odumosu said.
Meanwhile, Henry Okorie of the Nigeria Customs won the men’s 400m hurdles gold medal in 51.30 seconds.
Okorie’s finishing time was, however, a far cry from the national record of 48.50 seconds set by Henry Amike in 1987.
Lucky Iyoha of the Nigeria Prisons Service won the silver at 52.86 seconds, while Steve Fika of NSCDC won the bronze at 53.18 seconds.
Although the Samurai Blue are already eliminated from the Confederations Cup, the 24-year-old playmaker is determined to put on a show in their final group game
Shinji Kagawa has refuted claims Japan will take it easy in their final Confederations Cup group match against Mexico and insists his side will do everything possible to win.
Japan let a two-goal lead slip to lose 4-3 to Italy on Wednesday night, which means the clash against the Mexicans has become a dead rubber as Brazil and the Azzurri contest who will top Group A.
Nevertheless, Kagawa is confident his side will not take their foot off the gas in their last game of the tournament and is hoping for a similar attacking performance to the one that pushed Italy so close.
"We can't move on to the next round but we still want to play with feeling," Kagawa told reporters.
"We know it'll be difficult but this match will help prepare us for the next step. It was the same way against Italy, but if each player's mental condition is good then we'll play good football.
"Like in the Italy match we want to press forward, and pressure [Mexico] as a team if we can and attack aggressively. We were winning 2-0 against Italy and lost, so we can't let that happen again. It was a good experience.
"If we can score 3 or 4 goals we have to take those chances. I want to challenge Mexico on the attack."
The country's leader has reacted to recent anti-government protests and has stressed that hosting the World Cup will not harm education and health programs
Brazil president Dilma Rousseff has insisted that the costs for the 2014 World Cup do not come out of the taxpayers' money as she has made it clear next year's tournament is financed by companies making use of the stadiums.
The South American country has been rocked by anti-government protests during the Confederations Cup, but Rousseff has little doubt that Brazil will do a fine job hosting the World Cup.
"We can do many things a lot better in Brazil and people have a right to criticise," Rousseff said on national television.
"However, I would never allow this money to come out of the taxpayers' money, harming essential areas such as health and education. The World Cup will be financed by companies that are making use of the sporting arenas.
"We will treat our guests with respect and make a great World Cup. Football and sport are symbols of peace and peaceful coexistence.
"We need to inject oxygen into our political system, and make it more transparent and resistant to the tough challenges facing a country marked by extreme disparity between rich and poor."
More than 1,000,000 people marched against the government in major cities throughout the country on Thursday, leading to speculation that Fifa could opt to cancel the Confederations Cup due to safety concerns, though the world football's governing body released on a statement on Friday insisting that the tournament would not be called off.
Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni, speaking ahead of his side's final match of the tournament on Saturday against Mexico, criticised the government for neglecting to listen to its citizens.
"The entire Japan national team, myself included, are disappointed that such tension exists [in Brazil]. This state of affairs has come because the people are unhappy with the status quo," he told reporters.
"That dissatisfaction happens in any society, but it's the responsibility of the decision-makers in power to resolve these issues and restore social equilibrium.
"The world has a good impression of Brazil, and I've seen the beauty of the country during this tournament. I do hope that the situation improves."
Despite being branded the underdogs ahead of their clash against world champions, Spain, Nigeria head coach, Stephen Keshi, is still believing "anything can happen."
Keshi, 51, still fancies his team's chance of creating an upset in a contest some analysts have branded mission improbable and others have termed mission impossible.
"Anything can happen in football even beating Spain and that depends on how determined and motivated my team will be during the game," said Keshi.
The former Mali and Togo manager has refused to draw comparisons between the Spaniard 1998 team which lost 2-3 to Nigeria in a Fifa World Cup game in France and their present squad.
Keshi did not mince words in warning that in footballing terms so much has changed between both nations in the last 15 years since Nigeria stunned Spain at the 1998 Fifa World Cup.
"It was another level of football in 1998 and this is different. But anything can still happen," said the Nigeria manager.
Nigeria will ride on lady luck on Sunday inside the Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza to stun the tiki-taka playing Spanish national team and hope that Uruguay do not beat Tahiti by more than five goals.
The Super Eagles still occupy second spot in Group B of the Fifa Confederations Cup behind Spain despite a 1-2 loss to South American champions, Uruguay on Thursday.
Nigeria defender, Efe Ambrose has voiced his belief in the African champions ahead of Sunday’s 2013 Fifa Confederations Cup game against world and European champions, Spain.
Nigeria need a win against La Furia Roja to stand a realistic chance of progressing to the semifinals of the competition as Uruguay are likely to defeat Tahiti in the other Group B game of the day. Spain have yet to lose in their last 27 matches but Ambrose believes that run can be snapped by the Super Eagles at the Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza on Sunday.
The 24-year-old is drawing from his experience on November 7, 2012, when he helped Celtic stun FC Barcelona 2-1 in the Uefa Champions League at Celtic Park.
"Barcelona are special, and so are Spain. But if we could beat Barca with Celtic, we can beat Spain with Nigeria," Ambrose told Fifa.com.
Eight of Spain’s 23 players currently in Brazil for the tournament are FC Barcelona players. Spain currently lead Group B of the Fifa Confederations Cup with six points from two games while Nigeria and South American champions, Uruguay have both amassed three points.
Oceania champions, Tahiti prop up the rear with three points after the first two rounds of matches.
Mario Balotelli was the only Italian player to leave the Azzurri's hotel despite riots in Salvador, one of the Brazilian cities hosting the Confederations Cup where the striker is known for his support of charity organisations.
La Gazzetta dello Sport on Saturday quoted coach Cesare Prandelli as saying that Italy had no intention of leaving the tournament despite alerts from authorities as police try to curb widespread protests over funds spent to organise next year's World Cup.
"Balotelli had a special permit because he looks like one of (the residents)," the coach said, "and because of the things he did here, where he has already been twice.
"It is important that he realises how lucky he is and that he helps other people."
Balotelli tweeted during his visit: "I look like a person from Bahia," as he was greeted by people while walking in the capital of the Brazilian state.
"Everything is quiet and there is nothing to fear," Balotelli said. "I only fear the journalists," he joked as he teased reporters who struggled to keep his pace.
The 22-year-old first visited Mata Escura, a favela in Salvador, in 2007, when he began supporting the local charity Acopamec and Italy's Agata Smeralda with the long-distance adoption of five children. Balotelli, who was born in Italy to Ghana immigrant parents, was adopted when he was 3 by a family in Concesio, near the northern town of Brescia.
Theddus Okpara of Team Sloekan on Friday in Calabar won the men’s high jump event at the All Nigeria/Cross River Open Athletics Championships.
Okpara posted a winning jump of 2.10 m to win the gold medal, ahead of Arinze Obiora who won silver also on a jump of 2.10 m, while Ashipa Abayomi’s 1.95 m settled for the bronze. Okpara’s winning jump was however not enough to smash Anthony Idiata’s national record jump of 2.27 m set in 2008.
A delighted Okpara, while speaking later, said the win had proven his critics wrong, adding that he was looking forward to another edition of the annual event.
“It’s a great win for me. It’s been much anticipated and I believe this win has proved doubters wrong. I look forward to next year’s event,’’ he said.
In the women’s category, Doreen Amata’s 1.90 m was enough to earn her the gold medal, winning comfortably against her contenders.
Tina Samson won the silver medal with a jump of 1.70 m while Anslem Chinenye took the bronze with a jump of 1.65 m.
Just like in the men’s category, Amata, who holds the current national women’s high jump record of 1.95 m, failed to beat her own record which she set in 2008.
Portugal for the umpteenth time showed that they are better than Nigeria’s U20 team as they defeated the Flying Eagles 3-2 in both teams’ first game of the FIFA Junior world Cup that kicked off in Turkey on Friday.
’Portugal took a 2-0 lead scoring twice in less than five minutes, before the Flying Eagles equalized courtesy of two goals by skipper Abduljaleel Ajagun.The Portuguese youngsters were, however, back in front to seal an impressive 3-2 win on the night.
Bruma and Aladje were the tormentors-in-chief of the Flying Eagles defence and both players scored inside two minutes to first send jitters down the spine of the Nigerian bench and few supporters on the stand.Flying Eagles captain, Abdul Ajagun, led by example as he netted a brace to bring Nigeria back on level terms; but while the celebration was still on, Bruma netted his second of the day to deny Nigeria a draw and give Portugal a 3-2 victory and all three points in an action-packed game.The Portuguese lads had also defeated the Nigerians, 2-1, in a friendly competition held weeks before the ongoing tournament.
The Eagles next meet Cuba who lost 1-2 to Korea in the other Group B match.
More than a million Brazilians have reported to have poured onto the streets of at least 80 cities in anti-government demonstrations. At least one protester was killed in Sao Paulo state after a car rammed into a crowd of demonstrators.
World football governing body FIFA has not considered cancelling the Confederations Cup in Brazil despite recent unrest, spokesman Pekka Odriozola has said. "I am not sure that anybody...was expecting something like this....we condemn any form of violence", Mr Odriozola added.
FIFA spokesman Pekka Odriozola Credit: ReutersThere are eight games left in the tournament and play is due to resume tomorrow with Italy facing Brazil in Salvador and Japan playing Mexico.
There have been speculations for months now that Ghanaian footballer and Chelsea star Michael Essien is married to his publicist, Akosua Puni, a report they both never denied or confirmed.
The report was regarded as mere speculation until last week Friday when Akosua introduced herself as Mrs Akosua Puni Essien at a cocktail charity event - Game Of Hope - organized by Michael Essien.
Akosua was in charge of the event and everyone who worked with her referred to her as Mrs Essien. The Ghanaian showbiz personality and socialite is also the head of the Michael Essien Foundation.
Michael and Akosua had a child together shortly after his relationship with Nadia Buari ended a few years back, though the football star has never acknowledged being married and does not wear a ring.
The leading sports brand have renewed their relationship by signing a new deal with the club to remain as their official sponsor and sportswear supplier until 2023
Chelsea have announced a new 10-year-deal with adidas which will see the pair continue their partnership until 2023.
Adidas, who first entered into a contract with the club in 2006, will remain as the club's official sponsor and sportswear supplier to stretch their partnership to 17 years.
The move has been described by the club as ‘the biggest deal to date Chelsea FC has signed with a partner’, with both parties expressing their delight at the decision.
"We are delighted to extend our partnership until 2023 after a highly successful first seven seasons," said chief executive, Ron Gourlay, in an official statement.
"Both organisations share the same ethos and ambition and the new deal reaffirms adidas' belief in the club's status in world football."
Herbert Hainer, adidas' chief executive officer, added: "Both adidas and Chelsea have a long and proud heritage in football and we are delighted to continue our working relationship with one of Europe's elite football clubs.
"We look forward to many more years of success, working closely with the club on product, marketing and grassroots initiatives in the UK and around the globe."
Florida team beat the San Antonio Spurs 95-88 in extra time to win their second consecutive NBA championship 4-3.
The Miami Heat have beaten the San Antonio Spurs 95-88 in extra time to win their second consecutive NBA championship.
Playing at home on Thursday at the American Airlines Arena, the Heat claimed the final game to win the series 4-3.
LeBron James with 37 points in addition to his 12 rebounds, was the team's highest scorer, while teammate Dwyane Wade added 23 points and 10 rebounds to the total.
Tim Duncan scored 24 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for the Spurs while Kawhi Leonard added 19 points and 16 rebounds.
James was named the most valuable player of the NBA final series, a distinction he also claimed in last year's competition.
This is the team's third NBA title after winning the championship in 2006 and 2012.
In 2012, the Miami Heat, who were the Eastern Conference champions, beat the Western Conference champions the Oklahoma City Thunder 4-1.
A young football player was pronounced dead on Saturday in Ivory Coast after colliding with his goalkeeper in an attempt to save an incoming ball.
Despite being branded the underdogs ahead of their clash against world champions, Spain, Nigeria head coach, Stephen Keshi, is still believing "anything can happen."
Nigeria defender, Efe Ambrose has voiced his belief in the African champions ahead of Sunday’s 2013 Fifa Confederations Cup game against world and European champions, Spain.
Mario Balotelli was the only Italian player to leave the Azzurri's hotel despite riots in Salvador, one of the Brazilian cities hosting the Confederations Cup where the striker is known for his support of charity organisations.
