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Saturday, 23 March 2013

World Cup Qualifier: Oduamadi rescues Eagles from Kenyan jail

By PATRICK OMORODION, Calabar

Harambee Stars of Kenya were three minutes away from causing a major upset in African football, but Nnamdi Oduamadi spared the Super Eagles the embarrassment of losing the 2014 World Cup qualifying match at U.J Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

Nigerian fans who had expected another goal feast were put on the edge of their seats as the minutes ticked away even as the Eagles missed the few chances they managed to create. But the entire nation had Oduamadi to thank for not missing the last minute opportunity that fell on his path. He zipped in a re-bound on the dot of 90 minutes to bring the game level. There was no celebration as the Eagles players and their coaches seem drained by the encounter.

Nigeria’s Victor Moses struggling for ball possession in the World Cup qualifier against Harambee Stars of Kenya yesterday, the game ended 1-1.

Frustration had set in after the Eagles failed to find the back of net in the first 15 minutes of the game. This was the result of a resolute defending by Kenya, they refused the Eagles space to make their ball possession count in the vital area. And during a counter attack move in the 36th minute, Elderson Echijile was adjudged to have fouled Victor Wayama at the edge of the box. Francis Nyambura gave Nigerians nightmare when he curled home from the edge of the box, Vincent Enyeama had no answer.

At the break the Eagles took the fight to the Kenyans, but they had no clue to unlocking the Harambee defence. Nyambura almost made it two for Kenya, after another run. But his shot rolled lazily off mark.

Obafemi Martins who had a subdued match almost got the equalizer, but his header was deflected over the bar and after this he was replaced by Ahmed Musa. Sunday Mba who was also unanimous in the midfield was replaced by Odumadi. Victor Moses made way for John Ogu and these changes brought more verve to the Eagles attack.

After the match, the Kenyans protested that the Botswana referee John Bondo added additional minutes after regulation time and this enabled the Eagles to equalize. The Harambee Stars players did not remember that during the match the referee had cautioned them for time wasting.

Kenneth Omeruo who emerged the man of the match stated that it was hard match. He got 5,000 dollars for his effort, while goal scorer, Odumadi was also rewarded with 5,000 dollars by Tom Tom.

“It was not an easy game. We were confident that we were going to beat them, but this was not to be. We created a lot of chances but we couldn’t put them away,” said Omeruo.

In the other group B qualifier Malawi beat Namibia at home to bring their points haul to five. Nigeria remain on top of the group on goal difference.

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SAMINI, SARKODIE, MAJID MICHEL, AND KESSE ON THE BIG FRIDAY SHOW GHANA SPECIAL

19:47 Gist No comments

This week's episode of the Big Friday Show will feature Ghanaian stars Samini, Sarkodie and Majid Michel; as well as upcomer Kesse.

Following the long line of Ghana's finest stars who have graced the award-winning show, Ghanaian artiste, Samini will be this week's studio guest talking to host, Basketmouth about his career. He'll also answer questions from fans.

This week's episode will also feature BET award winner, Sarkodie who pays a surprise visit to a fan, Nana Sakyi Djan planned by Nana's friend and lucky Glo subscriber, Sharon Manor.

Popular Ghanaian actor and ladies' man, Majid Michel, will get pranked on the show. Tune in tonight to watch the BFS crew play a fast one on the Ghanaian super star.

Upcoming act, Kesse, will be given this week's studio challenge. Find out if he completes his task and gets the chance to promote himself on the show.

Benedict XVI: 10 things about the Pope's retirement

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Pope Benedict XVI's resignation on Thursday - the first by a Pope for more than 600 years - is forcing the Vatican to consider some unusual questions. Here are 10 answers. 1. Name and title He will be

known as Pope emeritus, or Roman pontiff emeritus, the Vatican announced on Tuesday. He will also continue to be known by his papal title of Benedict XVI, rather than reverting to Joseph Ratzinger, and he will continue to be addressed as "Your Holiness" Benedict XVI - in the same way, for example, as US presidents continue to be referred to as "president" after leaving office. "Emeritus" is a Latin word meaning "retired", from the verb "emereri" - to earn one's discharge by service.

2. New home: Benedict XVI will leave the Vatican by helicopter before he resigns at 20:00 (19:00 GMT) on Thursday, but he will return in about three months to a new residence - a former convent known as Mater Ecclesiae - in the south-west corner of Vatican City. Reports suggest Vatican gardeners will continue to cultivate a 500 sq m organic fruit and vegetable garden there - the Pope is said to enjoy marmalade made from its oranges. Meanwhile - as Mater Ecclesiae is refurbished - he will stay in the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome.

3. His clothing: The Pope emeritus will continue to wear papal white - rather than the black of an ordinary priest, or the red of a cardinal. However it will be a simple cassock, with none of the flamboyant hats and vestments he revived during his papacy (prompting the Wall Street Journal to ask "Does the Pope Wear Prada?") He will be giving up his trademark red shoes, wearing instead brown shoes handmade for him by Mexican craftsmen during a visit to the country last year.

4. His ring: The papal gold ring, known as the fisherman's ring, will be smashed with a specially designed silver hammer when the Pope leaves office. No change here from normal practice. "Objects strictly tied to the ministry of St Peter must be destroyed," the Vatican says. His personal seal will also be defaced.
5. His duties: Benedict XVI will have no further administrative or official duties. He will not participate in the conclave to elect his successor (nor will any cardinal over the age of 80), though, since he appointed 67 of the 115 men who will take part in the conclave, his influence will be felt. Senior Catholics have also been re-reading speeches made by Benedict XVI before of his retirement for any hints about the qualities he believes his successor will require.

6. Life in retirement: Announcing his resignation, the Pope said he would spend his time praying for the Church. His elder brother, Monsignor Georg Ratzinger, has also said Benedict would be happy to advise his successor, if required. Writing and studying also seems likely to be on the agenda - Benedict had a library of 200,000 books installed in the papal apartments when he was elected in 2005. He also enjoys playing the piano and watching old black-and-white comedies - and he loves cats. At least one, Contessina, is known to live at Mater Ecclesiae.
7. Social media: Benedict XVI's Twitter accounts (@Pontifex and its eight different language versions) are expected to be terminated when he steps down. The Pope is expected to utter his final tweet along with his final general audience on Wednesday - saying goodbye to the 2.5 million followers he has gained since opening his account late last year. Whether he will take the papal iPad on the helicopter is an open question.

8. Golden parachute: Modest as Benedict XVI's retirement plans may be, as a bishop he will retain the Vatican's generous private healthcare policy and is likely to have recourse to the doctors who currently manage his medical treatment. It's possible he will continue to be cared for by the small group of German nuns who have looked after him during his papacy. As a pope has not retired for 600 years, there's no precedent for a papal pension plan, but Canon law requires each diocese to look after the welfare of retiring clerics. Rome will doubtless take good care of its Pope emeritus.

9. Georg Ganswein: Benedict XVI's personal secretary, Archbishop Georg Ganswein - the photogenic face seen in the background of a million photographs - will stay in this post. However, he will also keep up his role as head of the papal household for Benedict's successor. He will be the servant of two masters.

10. Infallibility: It's a widely held misconception the Pope is infallible in everything he says and does. In fact, the First Vatican Council of 1870 ruled a Pope's rulings are infallible only when they are made "ex-cathedra" - as part of a doctrinal statement about the Church. Benedict XVI never invoked this privilege (and in fact only one infallible statement has been made since 1870). When he resigns as Pope he will no longer be able to make ex cathedra statements. (BBC)