EGYPT NIGERIA NOW A WIN OR BURST TIE FOR BOTH

By Habeeb Akinfegbe

It is no longer news that Chad have pulled out of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers due to financial restraints. Les Sao bowed to Tanzania on Wednesday and were billed to face the Taifa Stars for the return leg in Dar es Salaam.
“As part of our participation in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers for Gabon 2017 and particularly the return match against Tanzania, we bring to your attention that our national team has failed to make it to the return leg game in Dar el Salaam scheduled for March 28,” said Moctar Mahamoud, secretary general of Chad Football Association.
“Indeed, our country has been affected by the global economic conditions and because of this, our participation in various competitions has taken a serious blow due to financial constraints.”
“We wish you all the best and we apologise for this situation which is basically independent of our will.”

Chad's withdrawal now leaves both Nigeria and Egypt having everything to play for in their second leg tie at Egypt on Tuesday. Subsequently all points involving Chad have been discarded and obviously Nigeria remain two points adrift of Egypt with two rounds of qualifying remaining.
Nigeria, who missed out on the 2015 AFCON, could have qualified as one of the best runners-up, but CAF confirmed that only the top team from Group G will qualify. "It is now a race with no medal for second place".

Super Eagles getting ready for the floodlights of Alexandria 

Furthermore, the Chadian Football Federation has been fined 20,000 US Dollars and also barred from participating in the next edition of the AFCON in conformity with Article 59 of the regulations of the Competition which states “any association declaring forfeit after the start of the matches is liable to a fine of twenty thousand (20,000) U.S. dollars. It will also not be allowed to participate in the next edition of the AFCON”.

According to information gathered, the Super Eagles trained for three straight hours to perfect moves in preparedness for Tuesday’s crunch Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Alexandria. The training session on Sunday evening under the floodlights was to correct all the errors made in the first leg which Nigeria were minutes away from winning. After reviewing the game’s video earlier in the day, the coach and his boys knew there was a lot to fix. Samson Siasia, trying his best not to look overwhelmed with the task ahead, ensured the players knew what was at stake. There was match play simulation, free kicks were practiced, corner kicks were perfected.

Samson Siasia with loads on his hands

Everyone took turns in hitting the ball over or around the four-man shield to find the team’s best free-kick taker.
Starting with corner kicks in the defensive position, they switched to offensive play as heads jostled to connect with the ball and nod it past the goalkeeper.
The Eagles worked tirelessly, they shed sweat and looked ready to spill blood in order to impress the coach whose keen eye kept roving for his best legs for the battle of Alexandria. The match kicks off at 6pm Nigerian time.

Follow us on
Twitter: @bizarre_comms
Facebook: Bizarre Communications
Email: bizarrecommunications@gmail.com

WHY "DAVIS CUP"?

The Davis Cup is the premier international team event in men's tennis. It is run by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and is contested annually between teams from competing countries in a knock-out format. It is described by the organisers as the "World Cup of Tennis", and the winners are referred to as the World Champion team but why is a world tournament referred to as Davis Cup?  

The competition began in 1900 as a challenge between Great Britain and the United States. By 2016, 130 nations entered teams into the competition.  The most successful countries over the history of the tournament are the United States (winning 32 tournaments and finishing as runners-up 29 times) and Australia (winning 28 times, including four occasions with New Zealand as Australasia, and finishing as runners-up 19 times). The present champions are Great Britain who beat Belgium to win the title for the 10th time in 2015. It was Great Britain's first title in 79 years, and first in the open era (the period since 1968 where professionals can compete in Grand Slams). The win moved Great Britain to third on the all time winners list.

The tournament was conceived in 1899 by four members of the Harvard University tennis team who wished to challenge the British to a tennis competition. Once their respective lawn tennis associations agreed, one of the four Harvard players, Dwight F. Davis, designed a tournament format and ordered an appropriate sterling silver trophy from Shreve, Crump & Low, purchasing it from his own funds for about $1,000. They in turn commissioned a classically styled design from William B. Durgin's of Concord, New Hampshire, crafted by the Englishman Rowland Rhodes. Davis went on to become a prominent politician in the United States in the 1920s, serving as US Secretary of War from 1925 to 1929 and as Governor-General of the Philippines from 1929 to 1932.

The 16 best national teams are assigned to the World Group and compete annually for the Davis Cup. Nations which are not in the World Group compete in one of three regional zones (Americas, Asia/Oceania, and Europe/Africa). The competition is spread over four weekends during the year. Each elimination round between competing nations is held in one of the countries, and is played as the best of five matches (4 singles, 1 doubles). The ITF determines the host countries for all possible match-ups before each year's tournament.

The World Group is the top group and includes the world's best 16 national teams. Teams in the World Group play a four-round elimination tournament. Teams are seeded based on a ranking system released by the ITF, taking into account previous years' results. The defending champion and runner-up are always the top two seeds in the tournament. The losers of the first-round matches are sent to the World Group playoff round, where they play along with winners from Group I of the regional zones.

The playoff round winners play in the World Group for the next year's tournament, while the losers play in Group I of their respective regional zone.
Each of the three regional zones is divided into four groups. Groups I and II play elimination rounds, with the losing teams facing relegation to the next-lower group. The teams in Groups III and those in Group IV play a round-robin tournament with promotion and relegation.

The women's equivalent of the Davis Cup is the Fed Cup. Australia, the Czech Republic, and the United States are the only countries to have held both Davis Cup and Fed Cup titles in the same year. The Hopman Cup, a third competition for mixed teams, carries less prestige, but is a popular curtain raiser to the tennis season.

The year's edition is at the quarter final stage: Serbia v Great Britain, Italy v Argentina,  Czech v France, USA v Croatia. All matches come up between 15 and 17 of July 2016.

Habeeb Akinfegbe
morakinmoyo1@gmail.com
08060532466

SUPER EAGLES FAIL TO CAPITALISE

Habeeb Akinfegbe

The Super Eagles failed to take full advantage of the mammoth Kaduna crowd as they allowed the Pharaohs fight back late in the game to finish the match in a draw.

The first half was merely for both sides to settle as all the actions came in the second half. For most parts of the game, the Egyptians were on the back foot as the Eagles threw foray of attacks at the Pharaohs but poor finish was their greatest misfortune.

Nigeria grabbed the opening goal on the hour mark after a fine run by Moses Simon and a shot from Iheanacho which ricocheted off the woodwork before Oghenekaro finished from close range.

It already looked like it was done and dusted only for Mohammed Sallah to grab the very valuable equaliser.

The Super Eagles now have a big task in front of them as they gear up for the second leg billed for Alexandria. Egypt continues to lead with 7 points while Nigeria remained in second place on 5 points.

Follow us on
Twitter: @bizarre_comms
Facebook: Bizarre Communications
Email: bizarrecommunications@gmail.com

BATTLE FOR FINAL OLYMPIC PLACE AS MARACANA PREPARES FOR DRAW

The final berth at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016 will be decided in the coming days when Colombia and USA go head-to-head in a two-legged play-off. The showdown, set for 25 and 29 March, should provide exciting football and no little drama, featuring two of the game’s heavyweights. The first leg will take place in a sweltering Barranquilla, where temperatures of around 33°C are expected, with the return fixture set for Dallas, Texas.

In a related development, the iconic Maracana stadium will host the draw for the Olympic Football Tournaments 2016 on 14 April 2016, ahead of hosting the men’s and women’s finals of the Olympic Football Tournaments Rio 2016 on 19 and 20 August respectively.

The stadium's auditorium will see the groups drawn for Rio 2016's men's and women's football tournaments, with the event scheduled to kick off at 10.30 local time (15.30 CET). The 16 teams in the men's tournament, including hosts Brazil and 2012 champions Mexico, will be drawn into four groups, and the 12 women's teams, including the hosts and 2012 champions USA, will be drawn into three groups.

Just one spot remains in the men's tournament, with Colombia and USA playing off to complete the line-up. In the women’s tournament, the final five teams to qualify will all be known by 9 March 2016.

As well as Rio de Janeiro, the home of the 2016 Olympic Games, the five other host cities for the football tournaments (Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Manaus, Salvador and Sao Paulo) are eagerly awaiting the draw to see who they will welcome to their regions. Each of the co-host cities are keen to replicate the remarkable hospitality shown during the 2014 FIFA World Cup™.

Follow us on
Twitter: @bizarre_comms
Facebook: Bizarre Communications
Email: bizarrecommunications@gmail.com

FAREWELL TO CRUYF

“If you look at the greatest players in history, most of them couldn’t coach. If you look at the greatest coaches in history, most of them were not great players. Johan Cruyff did both – and in such an exhilarating style.”
Johan Neeskens – his buddy in white and red, Blaugrana and Oranje – couldn’t have said it better, and how football loved Johan Cruyff for it. The feeling was reciprocated.

Even in the depth of his battle against lung cancer, Cruyff said: “Thinking and talking about football gives me a lot of joy and takes my mind of worrying about the illness.” Today, on Thursday 24 March 2016, Cruyff sadly lost that battle.

One of the most thrilling dribblers in history, Cruyff inspired Ajax to eight Eredivisie title and three European Cups, before becoming the darling of Camp Nou and propelling Barcelona to La Liga glory. The Amsterdam native scored 33 goals in 48 games for the Netherlands, wowing as they reached the 1974 FIFA World Cup™ Final, which they lost to hosts West Germany.

Johan Cruyff was a magnificent player, one of the greatest players the world has ever known. A symbol of elegant play. An inspiration. A source of admiration for fans. He has marked football history for ever. I'm very saddened by his death. He w‎ill be terribly missed. Both personally and on behalf of FIFA and the world football community, I would like to extend my sincerest condolences to his family and friends.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Cruyff then masterminded Barcelona’s capture of four consecutive Spanish crowns and the European Cup. Fundamentally, he was the brains behind La Masia – the academy which polished Messrs Xavi, Iniesta and Messi in precious pearls – and the tika-taka football which the Catalan colossuses and Spain used to such grand effect.

Johan Cruyff will not only be remember eternally, but affectionately.

Culled from fifa.com

HISTORY IN THE MAKING

On 30 September 2016, another historic step will be taken when the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup kicks off in Amman to become the first FIFA women’s tournament ever to be hosted in the Middle East – a region where the cultural barriers for women’s sports events tend to produce meek statistics like the one above.

“This World Cup will raise the profile of women’s football and women’s sports in general. It will send a message that will hopefully ripple across the region - one of girls’ and women’s empowerment and of using football as a platform for social change,” says Samar Nassar, the CEO of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Local Organising Committee.

Nassar is herself a role model when it comes to breaking these barriers and defying gender stereotypes, having taken part in two editions of the Olympic Games as a swimmer, representing Palestine in 2000 and Jordan in 2004. From the impact that her accomplishments had on young women across the Middle East, she knows exactly how a tournament like the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup comes down to a lot more than just the game. “When young girls are on the pitch here, they are not just kicking the ball for themselves or their countries, but for all the girls out there - for women’s empowerment and for promoting gender equality.”

 The 2016 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup will be the 5th edition of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, the biennial international women's youth football championship contested by the under-17 national teams of the member associations of FIFA. The tournament will be held in Jordan from 30 September to 21 October 2016.

Follow us on
Twitter: bizarre_comms
Facebook: Bizarre Communications
Email: bizarrecommunications@gmail.com

AFCON 2017 QUALIFIERS: GOOD FRIDAY GOOD MATCHES?

 

Habeeb Akinfegbe


In the early hours of today, Dream Team VI defeated Brazil 1-0 in an international friendly played at the Estádio Kléber Andrade to make Nigerians wake up to celebrate Good Friday with a good news. Nigerians are equally looking forward to another good news after the Super Eagles must have defeated the Pharaohs later in the evening to cap the day's celebration.

At the Estádio Kléber Andrade, Ubong Ekpai's third minute strike was all the Dream Team VI needed to subdue Rogerio Micale's wasteful lads in the keenly contested affair in Cariacica, Espírito Santo, Brazil. It was the other encounter between both sides since the semi final of the 96 Olympics where Dream team I defeated a star-studded Brazilian side 4-3 on their way to clinching the Olympic soccer gold. Fast-forward 20 years, Nigeria has completed a double against Brazil sequel to this latest event.

As for the Super Eagles' encounter with the Egyptians in the first of two 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, the Super Eagles face a stiff opposition in the Pharaohs despite playing at home in Kaduna. Egypt have failed to qualify over the last three editions while Nigeria have missed out on two of the last three competitions, making it seem like the Egyptians may want it the most.

Although they won an unprecedented three titles back to back between 2006 and 2010, the Pharaohs have lost their invincibility leading to their absence from the tournaments in 2012, 2013 and 2015.
Such is the fall from grace that Egyptian football has suffered that their legacy is almost forgotten. Gone are the players from the golden era of Aboutreika and the Hassans, coach Hector Cuper had to call up veteran goalkeeper Essam El Hadary in order to remind the new crop of players about their glorious past.

The Egyptians have less pressure though as they lead Group G with six points, two more than Nigeria who must see this as an opportunity to be in control of their destiny as this is an avenue to steal as much as six points from the Egyptians over the two legs having in mind that Tanzania just levelled up on four points. 

 Follow us on
Twitter: @bizarre_comms
Facebook: Bizarre Communications
Email: bizarrecommunications@gmail.com

COUNTDOWN TO AN EPIC BATTLE

Arguably the most important encounter in Nigeria's football history, Nigeria v Egypt pose a major threat in the nation's attempt to be part of the 2017 AFCON. The team's interim coach, Samson Siasia has the most dreaded job that one doesn't need wonder much why the previous coach, Oliseh, dumped the team among other claims.

In his bid to overcome the Pharaohs, he just pruned down his list of home based players to six from twenty-two. Chibuzor Okonkwo, Etebo Oghenekaro, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Ifeanyi Mathew , Mathew Etim and Kalu Orji will be joined by 18 foreign based players this week. The first leg encounter will hold in Kaduna on March 25, while the return leg is scheduled for Alexandria on March 29.

Ahmadu Bello Stadium, getting ready for the epic tie

Egypt top Group G with six points while Nigeria are second with four points from the same number of matches.


FOREIGN BASED EXPECTED
Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa)
Defenders: Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Abdullahi Shehu (Uniao da Madeira, Portugal); Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France); Stanley Amuzie (Olhanense FC, Portugal); Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey)
Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England); Azubuike Okechukwu (Yeni Matalyspor, Turkey)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Moses (West Ham United, England); Aminu Umar (Osmanlispor FK, Turkey); Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England); Aaron Samuel (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Fanendo Adi (Portland Timbers, USA)

Follow us on
Twitter: @bizarre_comms
Facebook: Bizarre Communications
Email: bizarrecommunications@gmail.com

SPANISH GIANTS MEET AT LAST 8 DRAWS

by Moshood Akinleye



The Uefa Champions League draw for the last 8 has been concluded and two spanish giants, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have been drawn against each other. The tie is the only one involving two teams from the same league.

Below is the full draw for the 2015/2016 UEFA Champions League Last 8 draw  

Wolfsburg  Vs Real Madrid
Bayern M.  Vs Benfica
Barcelona   Vs Atletico Madrid
PSG             Vs Man City


The quarter finals will take place in April 5-6 and April 12-13, 2016.
Which teams do you predict will make it to the Semis.

5 REASONS WHY LEICESTER WILL BE WORTHY EPL CHAMPIONS

 5 REASONS WHY LEICESTER WILL BE WORTHY EPL CHAMPIONS 

by Moshood Akinleye

The English Premier League took a strange turn this season. The Goliaths of English Football suddenly turned dwarfs as a new title holder seems to be emerging gradually. The last time the EPL ever witnessed this sudden and perhaps ephemeral revolution was the 1994-1995 season when an unlikely Blackburn rose to clinch the title dramatically.

Chelsea’s woes began with Jose Mourinho’s self-ignited fire in the Stamford Bridge Locker room. Barely five months after winning a double of the title and the capital one cup, Chelsea found themselves lingering close to the relegation zone in December, having played 15 games and lost 9. 

Manchester City started the season so well but the honeymoon didn’t last longer than their first five games, the blue half of Manchester now linger in between the EUROPA LEAGUE spot and a Champions League ticket.

The Red Devils were no stranger than expected as they still struggle under their Dutch Boss, Louis Van Gaal, whose tenor in Manchester has acquired more blames than praises. Since the 2003-2004 season, Arsene Wenger still looks very much like a Manager whose humility requires only a Champions League ticket and nothing more.

Meanwhile, Leicester City have shown Champions stuff so far, losing only 3 games in 28,winning 16, ending  9 in a stalemate, staying atop the table and enjoying the second best healthier goal difference, 20, seven less than Tottenham. The foxes have not gone below the third position this season.  As much as nothing is cast in stone yet, here is a look at 5 key reasons why I think Leicester will be worthy Champions if they eventually clinch the 2015/2016 EPL title…enjoy.

1.     WITHOUT A SILVER SPOON: the LEICESTERCITY team is one of the most ECONOMICAL but EFFICIENT team in the EPL:

If you check the last summer transfer business of the foxes, you will find that they do not belong to the top spenders. They didn’t have the millions to spend but you will wonder how former Chelsea Manager, Claudio Ranieri managed to put together a formidable team with the little cash available. Most memorable was the signing of French International, N’golo Kante from French side Caen. 

With his English exploits so far and costing only 5.6 million pounds, you can only goof at the POSSIBILITY of the starlet not featuring in the EPL team of the season. Robert Huth joined from Stoke City for 3 million pounds and has found a marriage of convenience with Wes Morgan (Free) in the backline and doubtedly, one of the strongest defense in the EPL. Daniel Drinkwater (Free), N’golo Kante (5.6 million pounds), and Riyad Mahrez (750,000 pounds) has formed one of the most fierce and astounding midfield in the EPL assisting a myriad of goals. Shinji Okazaki (7 million pounds), Riyad Mahrez (750,000 pounds) and Jamie Vardy (1 million pounds) have been part of an attack that produced 51 goals in 28 EPL games this season, 2 more than Tottenham. 

From the underlining elucidation, If Leicester eventually wins the EPL title, Ranieri should undoubtedly be awarded the EPL Manager of the Season.

2.     THE CHAMPIONS GUT:

After managing to be at the top of the table by November, 2015, the many predictions was that the December and January match traffic will neutralise the foxes’ strength and return them to the average team they once were. Surprisingly, Leicester beat Swansea, Everton, Chelsea, Tottenham and Stoke City within the period while losing only one game to Liverpool on Boxing Day at Anfield. Unlike the Southampton story of 2014/2015 season where the December and January traffic sent the Saints below the Champions League spot, the foxes who struggled to escape relegation last term have made a difference and showed they’ve really got the guts.

Except if the foxes run down their guts or gets distracted by the pressure of being a champion, it is difficult to predict that they won’t be eventual Champions of the 2015/2016 EPL season.

3.     THE RANIERI FACTOR:

For every successful journey on the water, ephemerally, the Captain of the ship should always take the credit. He makes or mars the journey based on his savvy and experience. Claudio Ranieri is an experienced Manager, having roam club and country football through Cagliari, Napoli,  Fiorentina, Valencia,  Atletico Madrid,  Chelsea,  Parma,  Juventus,  Roma,  Inter Milan and  Monaco as well as managing the Japan and Greece national teams. That cannot be bought.

If it were cooling the pressure, Ranieri knows how to do that perfectly. First, during the December and January Fixtures traffic when the foxes were at the top of the table, Ranieri said his team’s goal were to get to 40 points which will assure them of staying in the premier league. After dropping two points against West Bromwich Albion thereby sharing 2 points apiece in a 4 goal thriller, Ranieri was asked if his team was under pressure to win the Premier League. “Every other team is under pressure to win” said the Italian.

4.     THE OTHER TEAMS:

When Chelsea slid down the pecking order of the likely Champions, and the blue half of Manchester emulated same, many, including the writer believed it was ultimately Arsenal’s title to lose. Unfortunately, the gunners have not shown the Champions stuff. Their inconsistency is as always and you can only expect the top 4 ritual for the Arsene Wenger side. 

Apart from these teams, Tottenham is another surprise title contender. In the absence of the usual fore players, spurs have been very compact as a team and looks like the biggest threat to Leicester on the title. In my opinion, the only team that can win the 2015/2016 title apart from Leicester City is Tottenham.

5.     THE FOXES’ LAST THREE FIXTURES

For me, this is the best reason for Leicester to be worthy champions if they eventually win the title. Considering the fact that Leicester are not 15 points ahead at Week 28, and their closest rivals, Tottenham are not as inconsistent as their North London neighbours and the Manchester clubs, coupled with the fact that the foxes will face the trio of Manchester United, Everton and Chelsea in their last three games, will call for an extra bravery to win the title eventually.

Preview to these last three fixtures, Manchester United are gradually rising in form and have achieved four straight wins, two of which are EPL games. With this feat, the Red Devils might be strong again for the top 4 and if other warring teams show the same commitment, Leicester will find it difficult with Manchester United as they will have a place on the log to fight for.

Everton are naturally a tough side for any top team of the premier league, coupled with their new investment just unveiled; it wouldn’t matter their position before this fixture; no team will be easy to beat especially an Everton that could be fighting for a Europa spot.

Chelsea will be foxes last game of the season. A natural Chelsea follower would want a pound of flesh for that KING POWER STADIUM 3-1embarrassment suffered by a Mourinho led Chelsea. Besides, Chelsea seems to be flying uninterrupted, making 3 points each consistently in 3 straight EPL games and with this, the chances of Chelsea pitching for one of the European spots cannot be relegated. This is reason enough why Chelsea can spoil the party for Leicester if perchance; the foxes need a maximum 3 points to clinch the title. So, if Leicester go pass these last three fixtures and still win the title, only a fool will say it is a mere luck.

Do you have a story for us, send a mail to bizarrecommunications@gmail.com

Follow us on Facebook: Bizarre Communications

Twitter: @BizarreComms

SIASIA RELEASES LIST

Akinfegbe Habeeb


It is no longer news that Oliseh threw in the towel as the coach of the Super Eagles likewise Samson Siasia's appointment on interim basis. However, the latest news is the list of 42 players in which the current handler of the nation's Olympic male football team, intends to prosecute the make or mar encounter between Nigeria and Egypt later this March.

LIST IN FULL

NPFL STARS
Goalkeepers: Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars); Olufemi Thomas (Enyimba FC); Emmanuel Daniel (Enugu Rangers)
Defenders: Kalu Orji Okogbue (Enugu Rangers); Chibuzor Okonkwo (FC IfeanyiUbah); Mathew Etim (Enugu Rangers); Austin Oboroakpo (Abia Warriors); Sincere Seth (Rhapsody FC); Segun Oduduwa (Nath Boys); Chima Akas (Akwa United); Chris Madaki (Kano Pillars); Oke Ogogatewho (Sunshine Stars)
Midfielders: Ifeanyi Mathew (Kano Pillars); Usman Mohammed (FC Taraba); Etebo Oghenekaro (Warri Wolves); Yau Hassan (Wikki Tourists); Stanley Dimgba (Warri Wolves)
Forwards: Ezekiel Bassey (Enyimba FC); Prince Aggrey (Kano Pillars); Bright Onyedikachi (FC IfeanyiUbah); Chisom Chikatara (Abia Warriors); Godwin Obaje (Wikki Tourists)

FOREIGN BASED
Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa)
Defenders: Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Abdullahi Shehu (Uniao da Madeira, Portugal); Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France); Stanley Amuzie (Olhanense FC, Portugal); Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey)
Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England); Azubuike Okechukwu (Yeni Matalyspor, Turkey)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia);Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Moses (West Ham United, England); Aminu Umar (Osmanlispor FK, Turkey); Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England); Aaron Samuel (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Fanendo Adi (Portland Timbers, USA)

Super Eagles

What is most disturbing is the fact that this list of 42 shows no sign that the Super Eagles will get it right against the Pharaohs of Egypt which already have a starting eleven after playing three friendly matches in preparation for this game.

One can only give the new coach the necessary support and hope for the best as we all intend to stumble on another favourable result. 

 
Follow us on
Twitter: @bizarre_comms
Facebook: Bizarre Communuications
Email: bizarrecommunications@gmail.com

RUSSIA 2018 MASCOT

The mascot has been part of the world cup and indeed all sporting events. The Russia 2018 world cup is not going to be an exception, hence the move to come with the event's mascot.

The word mascot has been traced back to a dialectal use in Provence and Gascony in France, where it was used to describe anything which brought luck to a household. The French word "mascotte" (Provençal version: "mascoto") means talisman, charm, and is derivative of the word "masco" meaning sorceress.
The word was first popularized in 1880, when French composer Edmond Audran wrote a popular comic operetta titled La Mascotte. However, it had been in use in France long before this, as French slang among gamblers, derived from the Occitan word masco, meaning "witch" (perhaps from Portuguese mascotto, meaning "witchcraft"), and also mascoto, meaning "spell".
Audran's operetta was so popular that it was translated into English as The Mascot, introducing into the English language a word for any animal, person, or object that brings good luck. The word with this definition was then incorporated into many other languages, although often in the French form mascotte.


A mascot is any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck, or anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name. Mascots are also used as fictional, representative spokespeople for consumer products, such as the rabbit used in advertising and marketing for the General Mills brand of breakfast cereal, Trix.
In the world of sports, mascots are also used for merchandising. Team mascots are often confused with team nicknames.^[1] While the two can be interchangeable, they are not always the same. For example, the athletic teams of the University of Alabama are nicknamed the Crimson Tide, while their mascot is an elephant named Big Al. Team mascots may take the form of a logo, person, live animal, inanimate object, or a costumed character, and often appear at team matches and other related events, sports mascots are often used as marketing tools for their teams to children. Since the mid-20th century, costumed characters have provided teams with an opportunity to choose a fantasy creature as their mascot, as is the case with the Philadelphia Phillies' mascot, the Phillie Phanatic.
Costumed mascots are commonplace, and are regularly used as goodwill ambassadors in the community for their team, company, or organization such as the U.S. Forest Service's Smokey Bear.

TO THE CRUX

Each FIFA World Cup since 1966 has its own mascot. World Cup Willie, the mascot for the 1966 competition, was the first World Cup mascot, and one of the first mascots to be associated with a major sporting competition. The mascot designs show some representing a characteristic feature (costume, flora, fauna, etc.) of the host country.^[1]

The World Cup mascot is frequently one or more anthropomorphic characters targeted at children with cartoon shows and other merchandise released to coincide with the competition.

The Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ have named a panel of judges as part of the process to select the official mascot for tournament.

The judges have been tasked with shortlisting three designs from the 120 submissions received from Russian design students, which will then be put to a countrywide vote in Autumn 2016. Once all stages have been completed, the winning character will have invoked the most public participation of any brand asset in FIFA World Cup™ history.

Sitting on the panel are actor and director Fedor Bondarchuk, actress Victoria Tolstoganova, television presenter Oxana Fedorova, music producer Victor Drobysh, singer Polina Gagarina, members of the theatrical group “Kvartet I” Leonid Barats and Rostislav Khait, designer Igor Gurovich, and Chairman of the Board of Directors at the company “State Sports Lottery” Armen Sarkisyan. The Russian national football team will be represented by goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev, who is also the first Ambassador for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The panel will review the creative proposals submitted by design students in Russia as part of the second stage of the mascot development campaign. Once they have seen all the entries, the jury will whittle these down to three designs before the whole country casts the deciding vote on the World Cup's official mascot in 2016.

“We think that it's very important for selection of this engaging ambassador of the FIFA World Cup to involve professionals from the fields of arts, culture, entertainment and sport. That's why we have invited expert representatives from these areas onto the panel,” said LOC Chairman Vitaly Mutko. “They have been set the objective of not only selecting the strongest visual concepts for the future mascot, but also considering and understanding the students’ inspiration for their concept in the context of the role the Official Mascot needs to fulfil to make it a successful part of the tournament's history and legacy.”

Every member of the panel has their own specific role. Children's TV presenter Oxana Fedorova, for example, will be able to view the mascot through the eyes of young fans, while the actors and singers can perceive the mascot's creative potential. The sportsmen can see how it would appeal to the football community and designer Igor Gurovich will assess the future World Cup ambassador from a professional point of view.

Fedor Bondarchuk: “Choosing the mascot is in some ways similar to deciding on the plot for a film. The outcome could be a comedy, a drama or even a thriller,” claimed Bondarchuk. “We have the 'cast' to identify (qualifying teams), the 'directors' (coaches) who are immersed by the weekly dramas and the audience (fans) dreaming to get a ticket to the biggest blockbuster of 2018. I hope the young designers will give the panel a mascot with character that can have a long and fascinating life”.

Polina Gagarina does not find herself on this panel by chance, already being involved in the tournament by singing “Million Voices" alongside a choir of 209 children at the Russia 2018 Preliminary Draw. "Football unites the world and the mascot should be a character that everybody recognises. I hope we'll find a memorable mascot," declared the performer.

Igor Gurovich underlined the difficulty of the task ahead: “Coming to an agreement that satisfies everybody will be very tough because all these creative individuals will view the process and the end result differently.”

The selection campaign for the World Cup mascot was launched by FIFA and the LOC in April 2015 on the website www.talisman.fifa.com where an initial survey for the mascot's character was conducted. More than 50,000 young fans took part and identified ten figures. The second stage was then opened to Russian students enrolled in design schools across the country, who were tasked with bringing one of the ten characters to life. After the close of this stage on 30 November, over 120 applications were received through the online submission platform.

Russian footballers also contributed to the project, starring in a clip supporting the mascot campaign.

The final stage of the campaign takes place in Autumn 2016, when the three designs chosen by the judges' panel will be presented for a countrywide vote. The ceremony to unveil the official Russia 2018 mascot is due to take place at the end of 2016.