Nigeria-Uruguay: "Super Eagles, Do It For Africa!" -- Ghana Striker Asamoah Gyan

Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan urges Nigeria to defeat Uruguay at the Confederations Cup in Brazil to avenge the defeat the Black Stars suffered at the hands of the South American country.

The last time when Ghana team played the one from Uruguay, South Americans rejoiced, and all Africans could do was to watch helpessly as Ghana allowed a victory to be wrestled from their grasp. It has been quite a while since that fateful July evening in Johannesburg, and things have changed dramatically for the side that would eventually lose to Germany in the third-place game by a lone goal.
While the South American champions still boast of the mercurial and cunning Suarez, the rest of the team has lost its fizzle and is far removed from that sound side that impressed us all at the World cup.
They currently stand on equal footing with the Africa champion, but only because Nigeria has not found her groove in the last three games she has played.
Their bid to win through to Brazil next year is in considerable jeopardy, as they lie in the inglorious sixth place in the South American qualifier. So they simply can't throw caution to the wind and must guard against injury.
The reminder to get revenge for the entire Africa came even from the Ghanaian Asamoah Gyan, who sent the Eagles a special message urging them on to victory. It simply read "do it for Africa".
Go Super Eagles! Do it for Africa!

Fabregas: Barça's made me better

Cesc Fabregas will struggle to improve on his performance in the first half of Spain’s win over Uruguay last Sunday. The Barcelona midfielder played pretty much the perfect game – popping up everywhere, teasing the usually solid Charrúa defence with his close control and dribbling, and then setting up Roberto Soldado for La Roja’s second goal with a pinpoint pass. So good was the assist, in fact, that the Valencia forward said half the goal belonged to Fabregas.

His central role in Spain’s impressive start was all a far cry from December 2011, when the No10 lamented his lack of opportunities in the national side in an interview with FIFA.com: “I hope to be more involved. I’ve been with the team for six years now but have never felt like a starter. Yes, I’ve had playing time here and there, but it’s hard to really show your worth when you have so little time.”

Following the 2-1 defeat of La Celeste, however, Fabregas was far more content with his lot.

Back in the limelight
Speaking exclusively to FIFA.com after his virtuoso show at Arena Pernambuco, the creative midfielder said: “We played well and it was the complete performance. The important thing is the three points and the way we controlled the whole game, not the way I played. A start like this always gives you confidence for what lies ahead.”

Despite the quality of the performance against Uruguay, Cesc believes both he and his side have room for improvement: “I’ve been playing for Spain for eight years, which is a long time, and I can remember some games we’ve played and some individual performances where we’ve been at a similar level. The important thing, though, is that we played well and I felt comfortable. That’s what counts to my mind.”

I think moving to Barcelona was a very important step for me, because of the system and also because you’re playing with the best, which means you automatically have to move up a level. 

Cesc Fabregas, Spain midfielder.

The 26-year-old went on to acknowledge that his status in the team has changed considerably since that interview he gave 18 months ago. “The boss has made me feel special in that time,” the former Arsenal man said with a smile. “I started virtually all the games at the EURO and I’ve been in the side a lot since then too. I’m very happy about that, especially as it’s all been down to hard work and staying patient.”

Explaining the reason behind the improvement in his game, Fabregas pointed to his club career: “I think moving to Barcelona was a very important step for me, because of the system and also because you’re playing with the best, which means you automatically have to move up a level to match the standards they set. You learn something in every training session and you have to give your very best.”

The glory trail
As the only major trophy they have yet to win, the FIFA Confederations Cup is a key objective for the reigning world and two-time European champions, though Fabregas feels they have some way to go before they can contemplate taking it home with them: “I wouldn’t say we’re the favourites.

"We’re just trying to play our game and our tournament. We can win it, just as long as we do what we know best, which is to keep possession and control the pace of the game. When we do that, we’re very difficult to beat, as we’ve shown.”

Fabregas’ caution can perhaps be explained by the fact that there is no tournament that goes by without some pundits suggesting that Spain’s domination is about to come to an end.

In his opinion, the only way to respond to the doubters is to keep on winning: “We hear the same thing at every tournament. The only thing we can do is to keep on playing and prove that’s not the case.

"At the end of the day, it’s not opinions that matter but what happens on the pitch. The thing is, with the social networks you have a lot more people with things to say now, and it’s only normal that you hear and read things like that. All we can do is show them they’re wrong.”

Firm words from Fabregas, who is ready to keep on breaking new ground with Spain. So how far does he think the team go? The answer is unequivocal: “As far as we want. This team’s made a habit of doing well and has a style all of its own. As long as we can maintain the standards we’ve set, there’s no reason why we can’t keep these good vibrations going.”

Source. www.fifa.com

Confed Cup: FIFA Disqualifies Uwa Echejile As 1st Goal Scorer Against Tahiti

The the world football ruling body, FIFA, has disqualified  Uwa Echiejile as the first goal scorer of the match between Nigeria and Tahiti.

Echiejile was initially thought to have scored the first goal which led to a 6-1  drubbing of the tiny Oceania country yesterday.
However, FIFA technical committee says the goal was in fact an own goal scored by one of Tahiti's amateur soccer player, Nicolas Valler.
FIFA released a statement today clarifying the status of the first goal
  See full FIFA statement below:
"Following further studies of the video of the match between Tahiti and Nigeria on June 17 in Belo Horizonte, FIFA's Technical Study Group has decided the first goal of Nigeria, scored in the fifth minute, was an own goal by Tahiti number 10 player, Nicolas Valler'
'The goal was initially awarded to Nigeria's Uwa Echiejile but after careful review was credited as an own goal'.
A second player Jonathan Tehau also scored an own goal for Tahiti after scoring the first goal ever in a FIFA tournament for Tahiti, making him the first player in the history of Confederations Cup to score a goal and an own goal.
Nigeria tops Group 'B' of the FIFA Confederations Cup with 3 points, the same as Spain but ahead on goals' difference.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will play against the national team of Uruguay tomorrow Wednesday in Salvador, Brazil.

Keshi Wants "Greater Intensity" for Uruguay

Stephen Keshi, head coach of Super Eagles, demands a game of "greater intensity" from the African champions as they take on South Americans, Uruguay, in their second game at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.
Nnamdi Oduamadi's hat-trick powered Nigeria to a 6-1 win over Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) representatives, Tahiti, on Monday; but the ever-demanding Nigerian public have been requesting for more after the majority of the fans described the performance against the OFC champions as "not good enough".
Keshi admitted that Monday's display was not one out of the top drawer, and now demands a better showing from his wards against La Celeste on Thursday.
"The performance against Tahiti [on Monday] was not as good as the performance we had against Mexico in Houston [a friendly game that ended in a 2-2 draw]. Maybe they were thinking Tahiti is not too strong. We have to work on that against Uruguay as we hope to play with greater intensity," Keshi said.
Nigeria endured a chaotic build up to the tournament with the players initially refusing to travel to Brazil as they pressed home demands following disagreements with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over bonuses.
The issues resulted in a delay of the team's arrival in Belo Horizonte where the game against Tahiti was played and Keshi revealed that it was a factor in the team's lackluster display against the Oceania champions.
"The boys were very tired. We arrived in Belo Horizonte around 3am on the day before the Tahiti game. The boys did not have enough sleep.
"Hopefully, they will be rested before they take on Uruguay on Thursday," he said.
The Nigeria squad have since arrived in Salvador where Thursday's game against Uruguay will be played with the players seemingly pleased with their new surroundings.
Left back, Elderson Echiejile took to the social networking site, twitter to voice his feelings.
"Now in Salvador ahead of thursday's match vs Uruguay in confeds#ConfedCup2013 love our hotel, just by the sea," the SC Braga man tweeted via @EldersonEch.

2013/2014 English Premier League Fixtures

The 2013–14 Premier League will be the 22nd season of Premier League, the English professional league for association football clubs, since its establishment in 1992. The season will start on Saturday 17 August 2013, with the season concluding on Sunday May 11, 2014 and the fixtures will be announced on 19 June 2013.
The television broadcast rights will be given two-to-three weeks later.
This will be the first season of the Premier League to use goal-line technology, with The Football Association having announced that Hawk-Eye will be installed over a period of up to six weeks in the stadia of the 17 teams who avoided relegation and the three teams promoted during the previous season.
Manchester United will go into the season as defending champions without Sir Alex Ferguson as manager for first time in the Premier League.

Saturday, 17 August 2013

Arsenal v Aston Villa

Chelsea v Hull

Crystal Palace v Tottenham

Liverpool v Stoke

Man City v Newcastle

Norwich v Everton

Sunderland v Fulham

Swansea v Man Utd

West Brom v Southampton

West Ham v Cardiff

Saturday, 24 August 2013

Aston Villa v Liverpool

Cardiff v Man City

Everton v West Brom

Fulham v Arsenal

Hull v Norwich

Man Utd v Chelsea

Newcastle v West Ham

Southampton v Sunderland

Stoke v Crystal Palace

Tottenham v Swansea

Saturday, 31 August 2013

Arsenal v Tottenham

Cardiff v Everton

Chelsea P-P Aston Villa (due to UEFA Super Cup)

Crystal Palace v Sunderland

Liverpool v Man Utd

Man City v Hull

Newcastle v Fulham

Norwich v Southampton

West Brom v Swansea

West Ham v Stoke

Saturday, 14 September 2013

Aston Villa v Newcastle

Everton v Chelsea

Fulham v West Brom

Hull v Cardiff

Man Utd v Crystal Palace

Southampton v West Ham

Stoke v Man City

Sunderland v Arsenal

Swansea v Liverpool

Tottenham v Norwich

Saturday, 21 September 2013

Arsenal v Stoke

Cardiff v Tottenham

Chelsea v Fulham

Crystal Palace v Swansea

Liverpool v Southampton

Man City v Man Utd

Newcastle v Hull

Norwich v Aston Villa

West Brom v Sunderland

West Ham v Everton

Saturday, 28 September 2013

Aston Villa v Man City

Everton v Newcastle

Fulham v Cardiff

Hull v West Ham

Man Utd v West Brom

Southampton v Crystal Palace

Stoke v Norwich

Sunderland v Liverpool

Swansea v Arsenal

Tottenham v Chelsea

Saturday, 5 October 2013

Cardiff v Newcastle

Fulham v Stoke

Hull v Aston Villa

Liverpool v Crystal Palace

Man City v Everton

Norwich v Chelsea

Southampton v Swansea

Sunderland v Man Utd

Tottenham v West Ham

West Brom v Arsenal

Saturday, 19 October 2013

Arsenal v Norwich

Aston Villa v Tottenham

Chelsea v Cardiff

Crystal Palace v Fulham

Everton v Hull

Man Utd v Southampton

Newcastle v Liverpool

Stoke v West Brom

Swansea v Sunderland

West Ham v Man City

Saturday, 26 October 2013

Aston Villa v Everton

Chelsea v Man City

Crystal Palace v Arsenal

Liverpool v West Brom

Man Utd v Stoke

Norwich v Cardiff

Southampton v Fulham

Sunderland v Newcastle

Swansea v West Ham

Tottenham v Hull

Saturday, 2 November 2013

Arsenal v Liverpool

Cardiff v Swansea

Everton v Tottenham

Fulham v Man Utd

Hull v Sunderland

Man City v Norwich

Newcastle v Chelsea

Stoke v Southampton

West Brom v Crystal Palace

West Ham v Aston Villa

Saturday, 9 November 2013

Aston Villa v Cardiff

Chelsea v West Brom

Crystal Palace v Everton

Liverpool v Fulham

Man Utd v Arsenal

Norwich v West Ham

Southampton v Hull

Sunderland v Man City

Swansea v Stoke

Tottenham v Newcastle

Saturday, 23 November 2013

Arsenal v Southampton

Cardiff v Man Utd

Everton v Liverpool

Fulham v Swansea

Hull v Crystal Palace

Man City v Tottenham

Newcastle v Norwich

Stoke v Sunderland

West Brom v Aston Villa

West Ham v Chelsea

Saturday, 30 November 2013

Aston Villa v Sunderland

Cardiff v Arsenal

Chelsea v Southampton

Everton v Stoke

Hull v Liverpool

Man City v Swansea

Newcastle v West Brom

Norwich v Crystal Palace

Tottenham v Man Utd

West Ham v Fulham

Tuesday, 3 December 2013

Arsenal v Hull

Crystal Palace v West Ham

Liverpool v Norwich

Man Utd v Everton

Southampton v Aston Villa

Stoke v Cardiff

Sunderland v Chelsea

Swansea v Newcastle

West Brom v Man City

Wednesday, 4 December 2013

Fulham v Tottenham

Saturday, 7 December 2013

Arsenal v Everton

Crystal Palace v Cardiff

Fulham v Aston Villa

Liverpool v West Ham

Man Utd v Newcastle

Southampton v Man City

Stoke v Chelsea

Sunderland v Tottenham

Swansea v Hull

West Brom v Norwich

Saturday, 14 December 2013

Aston Villa v Man Utd

Cardiff v West Brom

Chelsea v Crystal Palace

Everton v Fulham

Hull v Stoke

Man City v Arsenal

Newcastle v Southampton

Norwich v Swansea

Tottenham v Liverpool

West Ham v Sunderland

Saturday, 21 December 2013

Arsenal v Chelsea

Crystal Palace v Newcastle

Fulham v Man City

Liverpool v Cardiff

Man Utd v West Ham

Southampton v Tottenham

Stoke v Aston Villa

Sunderland v Norwich

Swansea v Everton

West Brom v Hull

Thursday, 26 December 2013

Aston Villa v Crystal Palace

Cardiff v Southampton

Chelsea v Swansea

Everton v Sunderland

Hull v Man Utd

Man City v Liverpool

Newcastle v Stoke

Norwich v Fulham

Tottenham v West Brom

West Ham v Arsenal

Saturday, 28 December 2013

Aston Villa v Swansea

Cardiff v Sunderland

Chelsea v Liverpool

Everton v Southampton

Hull v Fulham

Man City v Crystal Palace

Newcastle v Arsenal

Norwich v Man Utd

Tottenham v Stoke

West Ham v West Brom

Wednesday, 1 January 2014

Arsenal v Cardiff

Crystal Palace v Norwich

Fulham v West Ham

Liverpool v Hull

Man Utd v Tottenham

Southampton v Chelsea

Stoke v Everton

Sunderland v Aston Villa

Swansea v Man City

West Brom v Newcastle

Saturday, 11 January 2014

Aston Villa v Arsenal

Cardiff v West Ham

Everton v Norwich

Fulham v Sunderland

Hull v Chelsea

Man Utd v Swansea

Newcastle v Man City

Southampton v West Brom

Stoke v Liverpool

Tottenham v Crystal Palace

Saturday, 18 January 2014

Arsenal v Fulham

Chelsea v Man Utd

Crystal Palace v Stoke

Liverpool v Aston Villa

Man City v Cardiff

Norwich v Hull

Sunderland v Southampton

Swansea v Tottenham

West Brom v Everton

West Ham v Newcastle

Tuesday, 28 January 2014

Aston Villa v West Brom

Crystal Palace v Hull

Liverpool v Everton

Man Utd v Cardiff

Norwich v Newcastle

Southampton v Arsenal

Sunderland v Stoke

Swansea v Fulham

Wednesday, 29 January 2014

Chelsea v West Ham

Tottenham v Man City

Saturday, 1 February 2014

Arsenal v Crystal Palace

Cardiff v Norwich

Everton v Aston Villa

Fulham v Southampton

Hull v Tottenham

Man City v Chelsea

Newcastle v Sunderland

Stoke v Man Utd

West Brom v Liverpool

West Ham v Swansea

Saturday, 8 February 2014

Aston Villa v West Ham

Chelsea v Newcastle

Crystal Palace v West Brom

Liverpool v Arsenal

Man Utd v Fulham

Norwich v Man City

Southampton v Stoke

Sunderland v Hull

Swansea v Cardiff

Tottenham v Everton

Tuesday, 11 February 2014

Arsenal v Man Utd

Cardiff v Aston Villa

Hull v Southampton

Stoke v Swansea

West Brom v Chelsea

West Ham v Norwich

Wednesday, 12 February 2014

Everton v Crystal Palace

Fulham v Liverpool

Man City v Sunderland

Newcastle v Tottenham

Saturday, 22 February 2014

Arsenal v Sunderland

Cardiff v Hull

Chelsea v Everton

Crystal Palace v Man Utd

Liverpool v Swansea

Man City v Stoke

Newcastle v Aston Villa

Norwich v Tottenham

West Brom v Fulham

West Ham v Southampton

Saturday, 1 March 2014

Aston Villa v Norwich

Everton v West Ham

Fulham v Chelsea

Hull v Newcastle

Man Utd v Man City

Southampton v Liverpool

Stoke v Arsenal

Sunderland v West Brom

Swansea v Crystal Palace

Tottenham v Cardiff

Saturday, 8 March 2014

Arsenal v Swansea

Cardiff v Fulham

Chelsea v Tottenham

Crystal Palace v Southampton

Liverpool v Sunderland

Man City v Aston Villa

Newcastle v Everton

Norwich v Stoke

West Brom v Man Utd

West Ham v Hull

Saturday, 15 March 2014

Aston Villa v Chelsea

Everton v Cardiff

Fulham v Newcastle

Hull v Man City

Man Utd v Liverpool

Southampton v Norwich

Stoke v West Ham

Sunderland v Crystal Palace

Swansea v West Brom

Tottenham v Arsenal

Saturday, 22 March 2014

Aston Villa v Stoke

Cardiff v Liverpool

Chelsea v Arsenal

Everton v Swansea

Hull v West Brom

Man City v Fulham

Newcastle v Crystal Palace

Norwich v Sunderland

Tottenham v Southampton

West Ham v Man Utd

Saturday, 29 March 2014

Arsenal v Man City

Crystal Palace v Chelsea

Fulham v Everton

Liverpool v Tottenham

Man Utd v Aston Villa

Southampton v Newcastle

Stoke v Hull

Sunderland v West Ham

Swansea v Norwich

West Brom v Cardiff

Saturday, 5 April 2014

Aston Villa v Fulham

Cardiff v Crystal Palace

Chelsea v Stoke

Everton v Arsenal

Hull v Swansea

Man City v Southampton

Newcastle v Man Utd

Norwich v West Brom

Tottenham v Sunderland

West Ham v Liverpool

Saturday, 12 April 2014

Arsenal v West Ham

Crystal Palace v Aston Villa

Fulham v Norwich

Liverpool v Man City

Man Utd v Hull

Southampton v Cardiff

Stoke v Newcastle

Sunderland v Everton

Swansea v Chelsea

West Brom v Tottenham

Saturday, 19 April 2014

Aston Villa v Southampton

Cardiff v Stoke

Chelsea v Sunderland

Everton v Man Utd

Hull v Arsenal

Man City v West Brom

Newcastle v Swansea

Norwich v Liverpool

Tottenham v Fulham

West Ham v Crystal Palace

Saturday, 26 April 2014

Arsenal v Newcastle

Crystal Palace v Man City

Fulham v Hull

Liverpool v Chelsea

Man Utd v Norwich

Southampton v Everton

Stoke v Tottenham

Sunderland v Cardiff

Swansea v Aston Villa

West Brom v West Ham

Saturday, 3 May 2014

Arsenal v West Brom

Aston Villa v Hull

Chelsea v Norwich

Crystal Palace v Liverpool

Everton v Man City

Man Utd v Sunderland

Newcastle v Cardiff

Stoke v Fulham

Swansea v Southampton

West Ham v Tottenham

Sunday, 11 May 2014

Cardiff v Chelsea

Fulham v Crystal Palace

Hull v Everton

Liverpool v Newcastle

Man City v West Ham

Norwich v Arsenal

Southampton v Man Utd

Sunderland v Swansea

Tottenham v Aston Villa

West Brom v Stoke

All fixtures are subject to change.