Heartland Players Hopful Of Govt Response
…As Flickers call for early fund ahead of African Tourney
Ahead of their crucial week 34 NPFL game against Sunshine Stars of Akure on Wdnesday, the players of Heartland football club are optimistic that the Government of Owelle Rochas Okorocha will heed to the agreement before their game against ABS fc in Ilorin which they lost 1 2.
The worried Naze-Millionairse had after playing a 1 1 draw against 3SC in Owerri threatened to boy cut their week 33 game in Ilorin if nothing was done about their long overdue match bonuses (about 10 games) and their sign-on fees which only about 15% for this season has been paid.
Reports reaching Trumpeta Sports Desk indicates that the players are hoping that with the agreement reached with the Government, they will be smiling ahead of their important game with Sunshine after another poor run of games.
Speaking on Radio sports program (Hot Sports Hot FM, Owerri), the captain of the dethroned cup champions Chinedu Efugh, acknowledged that part of the problems why they’ve been having bad run of results is the lack of motivation especially the back-log of match bonuses which are unpaid and of course their sign-on fees which no one seems to be talking about.
He however noted that he and his colleagues believe that the Governor, Owelle Rochers Okorocha will not let them down as he knows that they are the bread winners of their various families adding that they are grateful to the Govt for what they have done so far while promising that they also hope to put smiles back to the face of their teeming supporters when they take on Sunshine come Wednesday at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.
Two goals in the first half from Abdulralham Bashir and Zenke Thomas in the 15th and 33rd minute gave ABS victory while Emeka Ogbuh’s 22nd minute goal could not salvage a point for the Owerri based side which means they are still stuck with 45 points in 33 games.
Meanwhile, in a related development, Heartland Flickers of Owerri who recently qualified to represent Nigeria at the African Club Hockey Championship in Uganda later this year have also called on Governor Okorocha to help boost their task of winning back the trophy by releasing funds for them on time.
The Chairman Imo State Hockey Association, Hon Godwin Megwa while appealing for the release of funds stated that it will help to put the players in camp at least for 21 days before the championship adding that the team needs all the support it can get for them to succeed in Uganda.
Hon Megwa also used the opportunity to congratulate Gov Okorocha on his 51 birthday as well as his numerous achievements since ascending the seat at the Douglas house while hoping that the same good gesture will be continued on the Flickers team.
The Flickers on Saturday became International Energy Insurance (IEI), Hockey National League Champions after defeating their Delta State counterparts 1 0 in the final at Port Harcourt thus qualifying for the African Club Hockey Championship later this year in Uganda alongside Delta team.
Coach of the six time African champions, Jude Nze said the team had earlier in the semi-final match also beat host team Rivers 1 0 to qualify for Africa before overcoming the team that defeated them during the Atlantic Conference qualifier earlier in Ogun State.
Nze, also known as Arab maintained that his girls are ready to reclaim their trophy but would also want the authorities help them to get into camping early enough just as the chairman pointed out stating that it will help to put the players in the right frame of mind for the challenges ahead.
Sunderland Job: Real Contenders Emerge
Sunderland sacked Paolo Di Canio on Sunday night after only five games of the Premier League season and already the club find themselves in some disarray.
Owner Ellis Short and director of football Roberto De Fanti – who was only appointed in June – now face the onerous task of finding the right man to stabilise a club that has one point from five games and signed 14 new players this summer.
Though the presence of the rather obscure De Fanti, who previously worked as an agent, offers Sunderland a semblance of continuity, the North-East club must urgently get this appointment right if they are to avoid a protracted relegation battle.
So who are the bookies tipping to get the job at the Stadium of Light?
Roberto Di Matteo (evens)
Ordinarily, a manager with a Champions League (and FA Cup) win on his CV would likely be unattainable for a club of Sunderland’s stature but Di Matteo comes with a couple of caveats. His success at Chelsea which was arguably rather fortunate given how close Barcelona were to eliminating his side and the numerous chances Bayern Munich squandered in the final – leaned heavily on his senior players; and his time in charge of West Brom, though it contained a promotion to the Premier League, ended rather unimpressively.
This means a move to Sunderland could appeal to the Italian rather than having any bigger aspirations – and by virtue of his shared nationality and reported personal friendship with De Fanti he is an obvious leading contender. The genial Di Matteo has a far less confrontational approach to management than Di Canio and his arrival would help mollify a dressing room apparently left on the brink of revolt by the strict regime of the previous boss. Di Matteo also preaches an attacking, attractive philosophy.
Tony Pulis (9/2)
Sunderland air-traffic controllers be warned: if Pulis gets the job then planes cruising in the vicinity of the Stadium of Light will have to watch out for high-flying balls. A vote for Tony Pulis is a vote for long-ball football, long throws and a team of giants; a team that relies on physicality over technique and is not afraid to push the boundaries of acceptability in order to unsettle opponents.
Though it will never appeal to football aesthetes, without question this method works: Pulis kept Stoke in the Premier League for six seasons – mostly comfortably – before the locals finally tired of his style of play. If Sunderland want a manager who will keep them in the league and prioritise solidity over flair, then there are few better options than the Welshman. The question is whether, despite an extensive summer recruitment drive, Sunderland have players with the characteristics Pulis demands.
Gus Poyet (5/1)
The rather bizarre and acrimonious nature of Poyet’s departure from Brighton which culminated in him being suspended and then learning of his sacking when live on television means the former Chelsea manager has minor stigma attached to him. Much of that stems from a leaked email which cast him in a very poor light, a memo in which he furiously upbraided Brighton employees over a poo found on the floor of the away dressing room before Crystal Palace beat his side 2-0 in a Championship play-off semi-final.
Poyet undoubtedly enjoyed success with the club, steering them into the Championship, making a number of astute signings and instilling an attractive style of play. Still, concerns persist over his ego a real concern when it comes to replacing Di Canio. Spanish winger Vicente said following his release on a free transfer that “[Poyet] is the worst person I’ve come across in football. For me he is a selfish person, very egocentric … What I think is unacceptable is that the manager makes fun of his players. I’ve seen things here that I have never seen in my career.”
Drogba, Others Escape Turkish Hell
…As Crowd Trouble ends Istanbul Derbys
The Istanbul derby between Turkish giants Besiktas Galatasaray was on Sunday abandoned after supporters invaded the pitch at the Olympic Stadium.
Hundreds of fans rushed on to the field afterGalatasaray midfielder Filipe Melo was sent off in injury time.
Galatasaray were leading 2 1 when both sets of players were forced to run back to the changing rooms.
The match was the first derby of the season and follows months of civil unrest in Turkey’s largest City.
It has been reported by Turkish media that the trouble started after simmering tension between Besiktas fans and riot Police inside the Stadium.
The Turkish Football authorities will soon be making pronouncements over the matter that has continued to destroy the beautiful game allover the Globe.
Last year Besiktas and Fenerbache were both found guilty of match fixing which meant that the later was disqualified from the UEFA Champions League for two years.
