Chidiebere Nwakali
Marks Thanksgiving
for God’s Blessings
….Says Andrea Pirlo Is his hero
Chidiebere Nwakali a member of the victorious Golden Eaglet team who won a 4th record FIFA U-17 World Cup in Dubai, United Arab Emirates has expressed his gratitude to God Almighty for his kindness and favour through out the trial period.
The church thanksgiving which took place last weekend at St Marks Anglican church Eziobodo in Owerri-West Local Government Area was organized by the Eaglet midfield maestro and his entire family members to their appreciation and show gratitude to God for upliftment, mercy and blessings to their son as well as their family generally.
Reacting to the press after the service, the Eziokele in Eziobodo Autonomous community, Owerri West LGA said his greatest desire is for his name to be recognized all over the world stating that Italian midfield icon and Juventus Star Andrea Pirlo is his hero describing him as one of the most disciplined players on planet Earth.
The all round action player also used the medium to thank his Coaches especially Emmanuel Amuneke who also halls from the same community for believing in him.
He also revealed that right now, most European clubs are on his heels demanding for his signature but he was quick to say he is he’s fervently praying to God for the wisdom to make the right decision.
Also speaking, Barr Asinobi Nwakali a senior PHCN staff an uncle to Chidiebere said his family can not thank God enough for his marvelous deeds stressing that God has through Chidiebere made Nwakali family a house hold name globally.
He however reiterated his advice to Chidiebere to always remain hardworking, dedicated and above all God fearing believing that more of Gods blessing is on the way.
Juventus Crashes Out Of Uefa Champions League
…As Sneijder Sends Galatasaray into Knock-Outs
Galatasaray sealed their place in the last 16 of the Champions League in dramatic style as Wesley Sneijder’s late goal saw them beat Juventus 1-0 on Wednesday.
The Dutchman latched on to Didier Drogba’s flick to fire low past Gianluigi Buffon in the closing minutes as Roberto Mancini’s side battled past the Bianconeri in treacherous conditions in Istanbul.
The fixture was halted after 31 minutes on Tuesday due to freak snow storms, with play resuming on Wednesday afternoon.
On a heavy, muddy pitch, both sides were largely limited to direct passages of play when the game restarted, with Juventus coach Antonio Conte appearing very unhappy with the match officials at the break, presumably due to the condition of the playing surface.
He would doubtlessly have been even more angry when Sneijder, a former Inter player, fired home after Didier Drogba’s knock-down in the 85th minute.
The goal secured Galatasaray the three points they needed to move second, sending two-time winners Juventus into the Europa League.
Fernando Llorente and Carlos Tevez had both been recalled to a Juve side missing injured forward Mirko Vucinic (knee), while Sneijder made his first start since November 1 for Galatasaray after shaking off a recurring thigh problem.
The visitors had carved out the only clear-cut chance prior to Tuesday’s suspension in play, Llorente going close after good work from Arturo Vidal, but it was Galatasaray who started stronger when play got back under way in Turkey.
Drogba and Sneijder both probed well for the hosts, without threatening the goal, before Llorente and Tevez linked impressively, only for the former to lose his footing as both sides struggled with the conditions.
Referee Pedro Proenca drew the half to a close after 14 minutes of play, and it was Juve who attacked first following the interval as Leonardo Bonucci fired over with an effort from distance early in the second period.
Drogba did well to shield the ball in an advanced position at the other end, allowing Sneijder to fire wide, with the Ivorian then forcing a smart right-handed save from Gianluigi Buffon following a vicous effort.
Claudio Marchisio saw an attempt on goal saved after a rare flowing move down the left in the 79th minute before Juve’s defence, which boasts seven consecutive clean sheets in serie A, was finally breached with five minutes left.
Drogba headed a long ball into Sneijder’s path, with the Netherlands international cooly firing past Buffon.
The hosts almost made it 2-0 late on but Burak Yilmaz was denied by a goalline intervention from Giorgio Chiellini, with the final whistle prompting joyous scenes a matter of seconds later.
Selection For Chan Team Will Be On Merit _ Amokachi
Super Eagles assistant gaffer, Daniel Amokachi has stated that selection of players for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) will be based on merit.
According to a statement made available by the media officer of the Afcon champions, Ben Alaiya, Amokachi was reported to have told the invited players that there will be no favoritism in the final selection of players for next year’s tourney.
Nigeria on Tuesday kick-started preparations for the 3rd edition of the championship designed for only African players plying their trade in their domestic leagues as all the invited players apart from slightly sick Ejike Uzoenyi have reported in camp for the preliminary squad that includes regulars like Sunday Mba, Benjamin Francis and Captain Chigozie Agbim as well as returnees like Gbolahon Salami and Ejike Uzoenyi bothe of 3SC and Enugu Rangers respectively.
The new players in camp include the Golden Eaglet trio of Kelechi Iheanacho, Dele Alampasu and Taiwo Awoniyi as the team is expected not to go on break this yuletide period to enable them concentrate on the task ahead.
Obinna Okwara Unity Cup: Eziama,
Onusa-Nkwere Through to Semi-Final
Four teams Eziama (Ward 9), Umukor (Ward 3), Onusa-Nkwere (Ward 1) and Umunachi/Umunubo (Ward 4) have all emerged for the semi-final of the ongoing Hon Barr Prince Obinna Okwara Unity Football Competition for all the wards in Nkwere State Constituency.
Eziama completed the quartet after beating Amaokpara (Ward 10) on Tuesday December 10 in a trilling encounter that produced three beautiful goals to the delight of neutral fans and of course fans of the two teams. The match ended 2 1 in favor of Eziema who got their two goals in both half’s before their opponents got their lone goal at the dying minutes to send the game into a nervy end for Eziama.
The Semi-final games of the competition sponsored by the honorable member representing Nkwere LGA at the State House of Assembly will take place on Sunday and Tuesday December 15 and 17 respectively as Umunachi/Umunubo will take on Onusa-Nkwere first on Sunday while Umukor squares up against Eziama on Tuesday.
According to Mr Chuks Dike, the LOC chairman, of the tournament that kicked-off on November 23, the donor who is the IMHA Minority Whip made available a total sum of N1m that will be shared among the winners and other teams for participating in the competition.
The competition will come to its crescendo on December 31 with fun fair as dignitaries from within and around the state is expected to grace the occasion including the number one citizen of the state His Excellency Owelle Rochas Okorocha.
EUROPA LEAGUE GAMES (12/12/13)
St Gallen — Swansea
Valencia — Kuban K
Maribor — Wigan A
Waregen — Ruben Kazan
Fiorentina — Dinpro
Frankfurt — APOEL
Maccabi T — Bordeaux
Dinamo Kyiv — Rapid Wien
Freiburg — Sevilla
Real Betis — Rijeka
Guimaraes — Lyon
Lazio — Trabzonspor
Tottenham — Anzhi
POAK — AZ Alkmar
HON OBINNA OKWARA CUP
9/12/13
Eziama 2 1 Amaokpara
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESULTS
Man United 1 0 Shakhstar
Sociedad 0 1 B/Leverkusen
FC Copenhagen 0 2 R/Madrid
Benfica 2 1 PSG
Olympiacos 3 1 Anderlecht
B/Munich 2 3 Man City
Viktoria Plzen 2 1 CSKA Moscow
Galatasaray 1 0 Juventus
