Day 2 highlights of FIFA 2010 world cup

Day 2 highlights of FIFA 2010 world cup

MAMA Africa went home crying when day two came for the FIFA 2010 world cup. Nigeria’s super eagles tried to fly high over Diego Maradona’s Argentina but were unable to get them messy on Johannesburg –JEP stadium. Despite showcasing a very good game, the Oga brodas just could not find the back of the net. Their morale although remained high even after the match’s only goal from Gabriel Heinze at the sixth minute off a corner kick from Veron. Many expected Messi to mess the Nigerian side, but the man of the match Vincent Enyeama had his password and blocked all his shots. (it's our world cup)

In another match of day 2, Manchester United’s Park Ji Sung’s South Korea went into this historic World Cup tourney books as the first team to win. It all went down at the Nelson Mandela bay stadium, port Elizabeth when the Asian giants cruised past the rather poorly organized Greek side. To hit the nets first, was Lee Jung-Soo in the 7’ minute. Netting second came the captain himself J.S Park, after an individual effort signaling to them all the reason why he is the capital C of South Korea. The game ended with a 2-0 win to South Korea over Greece. (its our world cup)

Final match of day 2 kicked off at 21:30 GMT+3 (East African time) with one of this world cup’s favorites-England-going headon with Obama’s boys. Just three minutes after kickoff, England’s Capital C-Steven Gerrard, taps in to give Queen Eliza a GOAL! But this did not dent the 'American Dream' as they struggled and came level at the 39’ minute, by a GOAL via a-not-so-dangerous shot from Clint Dempsey, which confused England goalkeeper-Green-then slipped in as he struggled to get a hold onto the ball-a case of blame it on the Jabulani. The game continues with tension making it very exciting with shots flying allover the goalmouths but none was able to touch Zakumi’s net again. By full time, it was 1-1 an ‘advantage’ to the USA side. The saga was on Rustenburg stadium. (it’s our world cup)

As for Africa this was not a good day because our Nigerian OGAS are not placed in a position that might give them hopes for the knockouts. However, they displayed a quality game, and we are expecting them to do more in their next match against Greece on 17/06/2010 @ Mangaung/Bloemfontein stadium.

Fifa world cup 2010 summary (day 1)

Fifa world cup 2010 summary (day 1)

Africa started her campaign for this summer’s world cup at an average level with her South Africa team drawing to a 1,1 final result with Mexico. Although South Africa started the game with tension and high pressure from the fans, they managed to hold on up to after the half time mark in what many will call a high tensioned match (thanks to the jabulani miracles that saw them survive that far). After the half time mark, South Africa returned with superior motive and struck the net at the 55’ minute with Siphiwe Tshabalala’s aid. But our (Africa) hopes of winning the match were cut short when one man-Rafael Marquez-equalized at the 79’ minute. We came close again but the Jabulani miracle again worked but this time for the Mexican when Katlego Mphela hit the Mexican post at the 89’ minute. All done, the game ended with a 1-1 draw, something that is better than a lose.

In another match, France and Uruguay met and theirs was yet another draw but this time a nil-nil draw. Thierry Henry came close many times, as fans wondered why the coach had kept him out for that long up to the 70’ minute………as for my South African side, we are placed at slightly better chance of qualifying for the next level. Considering the fact that the top two teams are Mexico and we.

Drogba is fit for the world cup...

The Ivory Coast captain, Didier Drogba, could start their opening World Cup game against Portugal next week, the coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said today.
The 32-year-old Drogba broke his arm during a friendly against Japan last Saturday, and needed surgery.
"If the game had been today or tomorrow, he wouldn't play. But there are still some days. He might play against Portugal," Eriksson said after the team's arrival today.
Ivory Coast play Portugal next Tuesday in Group G in the coastal city of Port Elizabeth. They have been drawn in a tough group, which includes North Korea and the five-times World Cup winners Brazil.
"It is a difficult group, but we will be well prepared and we will do everything to play well against the other teams," Eriksson said. (source: guardian)

reviewing J. S. Park

*Park Ji-Sung*: A passionate midfielder who can run the course of the 90 minutes plus extra time if the need arises for his team. He is the only Asian player to have played in the UEFA Champions League final and also the only one to have won the coveted trophy. The 29-year old was an important member of his national team's semi-final run in 2002 and has been noted to be one of the greats from the Asian continent of his generation. Park scored in the last two editions of the World Cup and also had a rich haul of 5 goals during qualification. The *South Korean* captain will look to energize and inspire his team to greater heights as they look to emulate their grand performance of 2002.

Club-26(4)              International-88(12)

reviewing Frank Ribery

*Franck Ribery*: ‘The Jewel of French Football' burst on to the footballing arena with his performances in 2006 that propelled France to the finals. He has since made a name for himself at German giants Bayern Munich and became only the 2nd foreigner to be named the 'Footballer of the Year' in his debut season. His club went through a historic term in 2009-2010 but Ribery missed a crucial chunk of it through injury. With France's golden generation on the decline, a whole nation is expecting this successor of Zinedine Zidane to rise to the occasion and lead 'Les Blues' to glory.

Club-30(7) International- 45(7)

reviewing Xavi Hernandez

*Xavi Hernandez*: The *Barcelona *midfielder is arguably the greatest midfielder of his generation. After winning Euro 2008 with Spain and being named the tournaments MVP, Xavi returned to lead Barcelona to a historic season which saw them win every possible domestic as well as international club honour. He is an elegant midfielder who dictates play for both club and country and also helps create goals via his set piece expertise. Barring the FIFA World Cup, Xavi has won every tournament there is to win and the drive to win in South Africa will be ever so intense for the Catalan.

Club- 53(7)           International- 86(8)

reviewing frank lampard

*Frank Lampard*: Throughout his career, Lampard has been a prolific goalscorer, having scored bucket full of goals for both club and country, more so in the last 5 seasons where he has notched up a minimum of 20 goals every single season. A free kick and penalty expert, Lampard also is a fairly decent tackler of the ball. His all round skills are quintessential to both *England* and *Chelsea* and are primarily responsible for him being hailed as one of best midfielders in the world. He has won every possible domestic honour with his club side excluding the elusive UEFA Champions League which a player of his calibre must win before he bids adieu to the game. A World Cup conquest will place Lampard in the league of the greatest players the game has ever seen.

Club- 50(27)       International- 78(20)

reviewing kaka

you can call him Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite or simply as kaka. 28 year-old playmaker Kaka is, on his day, the best player in the world. Having already been recognized as both 'European Footballer of the Year' and 'FIFA World Player of Year' in 2007, Kaka has little
 left to prove to the footballing universe. The Brazilian is a direct attacking midfielder who relies on his pace for going past defenders, unlike most of his compatriorts who rely on a display of footballing skills, something that comes naturally to the Samba Boys. He is a regular goal scorer for both club and country and also creates a huge chunk of chances with his accurate passing and vision. After an injury riddled first season at *Real Madrid*, one hopes that Kaka is able to redeem himself at the grandest stage of them all.* (it's our world cup)

Club- 22(8) International- 73(26)

NIGERIA TEAM REVIEW

Nigeria's Super Eagles are surprisingly young to the global stage, having only made their World Cup finals debut as recently as USA 1994. That year they made the round of 16, before being run out of the tournament by the Italians in extra time. The following edition, they repeated the feat, this time falling to the Danes in the first knock-out round. Nigeria made it three straight World Cup finals in 2002, however, this time failed to progress past the first round. Matters went from bad to worse as they were unable to make it through the qualifying rounds, missing the flight to Germany 2006. (IT'S OUR WORLD CUP)

They comes to South Africa 2010 with renewed hope, having come through the qualifying rounds undefeated, though they did have just as many draws as wins in a group which included Mozambique, Kenya and Tunisia. Nigeria have been in decent form in the run-up to the World Cup, finishing 3rd in the African Cup of Nations, losing to Ghana in the Semi-finals, but recovering well to down Algerio 1-0 in the 3rd place play-off.

Ranked 20th in the world in the latest FIFA rankings, Nigeria are placed in Group B alongside Greece, South Korea and heavyweights Argentina. They'll believe they have the necessary firepower in Yakubu and Obafemi Martins to give themselves a good chance of getting through to the knock-out stage once again.

They kick start their campaign with Argentina and one would expect the Super Eagles to give Diego Maradona's team a run for their money. In Greece and South Korea, Nigeria have two fixtures they must make the most of in order to qualify. Both teams are very strong with decent pedigree in major competitions. Nigeria will need to ensure that their backline can match the strength of their front two, to give themselves a chance of coming away with maximum points from those two games.

*Key Players:*

*Obafemi Martins *- The 25-year old has spent time in Italy, England and now is in Germany. He is blessed with blistering pace and is likely to relish an opportunity to lead the line on the big stage. He scores a goal every two games for his national team and could be used fruitfully on the flanks if the Super Eagles need to bring on some more of their big guns.

*Joseph Yobo *- One of the best defenders to come out of Africa, Joseph

Yobo is the inspirational leader of the Super Eagles' back line. While no longer first choice at Everton, Yobo has no peers in his national side, having made 68 appearances thus far for his country.

*Dickson Etuhu *- Nigeria suffered a huge blow on the eve of the World Cup, when Chelsea strongman John Obi Mikel withdrew from the squad after failing to recover in time from a knee operation. The absence of Mikel puts immense responsibility on the broad shoulders of 28-year old Fulhm midfielder Dickson Etuhu. Still a rookie by international standards, Etuhu was an important squad member in Fulham's Europa League campaign this season. His presence in the squad is absolutely vital at the international level, more so now that Coach Lars Lagerback opted to replace the injured Mikel with a 7th forward in Brown Ideye.

*Team: *

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv), Dele Ayenugba (Beni Yehuda FC), Austine Ejide (Hapoel Petah Tikva)

Defenders: Taye Taiwo (Marseille), Elderson Echiejile (Rennes), Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow), Joseph Yobo (Everton), Daniel Shittu (Bolton), Ayodele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam), Rabiu Afolabi (Salzburg)

Midfielders: Dickson Etuhu (Fulham), Sani Kaita (Alaniya), Lukman Haruna (Monaco), Ayila Yussuf (Dynamo Kiev), Peter Osaze (Lokomotiv Moscow)

Forwards: Yakubu Ayegbeni (Everton), Chinedu Obasi (Hoffenheim), Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth), Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg), John Utaka (Portsmouth), Victor Obinna (Malaga), Brown Ideye (Sochaux).

*Top Goal Scorers:* Yakubu Aiyegbeni(19), Obafemi Martins(16)

*Most Capped Players:* Joseph Yobo(64), Vincent Enyeama(51)

*Head Coach: *Lars Lagerback

*Form Guide: (DDWW)*

Jan 30, Nigeria 1-0 Algeria

Mar 03, Nigeria 5-2 Congo DR

May 25, Nigeria 0-0 Saudi Arabia

May 30, Nigeria 1-1- Columbia

Fixtures:

12-Jun: Argentina vs Nigeria 3:00pm (GMT)

17-Jun: Greece vs Nigeria 3:00pm (GMT)

22-Jun: Nigeria vs. South Korea 7:30pm (GMT)